Xi Jinping declared China president for a historic third term

Xi Jinping declared China president for a historic third term

BEIJING: Xi Jinping was on Friday (Mar 10) formally elected to an unprecedented third term as China’s president, as parliament voted on several top positions.

His new five-year run was made possible following a change to the constitution in 2018 that scrapped term limits.

The vote on Friday at the Great Hall of the People was largely ceremonial.

Xi, 69, had already clinched a historic third term as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party at a major party congress last October, sealing his place as China’s most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong.

Changes to the country’s leadership take place every five years and usually closely mirror the reshuffle announced at the party congress.

However, members of the State Council – the Cabinet – are only announced when the National People’s Congress or parliament is sitting.

Li Qiang is set to be named China’s new premier on Saturday.