BEIJING: On Friday, March 10, 2023, Xi Jinping was re-elected as the President of China for the third time in a row. The decision was made by the National People’s Congress (NPC), which is considered a rubber stamp for the President. The unanimous vote of around 3,000 NPC members ensured the continuation of Xi’s leadership in the country.
Xi Jinping has been the most powerful leader of China after Mao Zedong. His re-election was almost certain as the limit of becoming President was abolished in 2018 by making changes to the country’s Constitution. This move was widely speculated to enable Xi to retain his power for a third term in 2023.
The voting process lasted for an hour, and the counting of votes took just 15 minutes. Xi Jinping will deliver a speech at the annual parliament session on Monday, where he is expected to address the country’s economic crisis. China has been grappling with an economic downturn due to the strict COVID-19 policies that have been in place for three years.
Last week, Xi Jinping blamed Western countries and the United States for China’s economic woes. However, he remains the undisputed leader of the country, having been chosen by his party to head the Central Military Commission. Xi has already begun his third term as the Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese Armed Forces.
Xi Jinping’s re-election as President of China for the third time further strengthens his grip on power. His leadership has been marked by increased authoritarianism and an assertive foreign policy, which has drawn both admiration and criticism. With no apparent successor in sight, Xi’s leadership is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.