Xi handed historic third term as China’s President

On Friday, Xi Jinping was granted a third term as president of China, capping a rise that has made him the nation’s most powerful leader in decades.

His appointment by China’s rubber-stamp parliament comes after Xi locked in another five years as head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in October.

Since then, the 69-year-old has endured fierce opposition to his zero-Covid policy as well as the untold deaths that resulted from its abandonment.

But, those topics were ignored at this week’s National People’s Congress (NPC), a well-planned gathering that will also name Xi loyalist Li Qiang as the new premier.

In a unanimous vote, delegates gave Xi a third term as president and re-elected him to lead the nation’s Central Military Commission on Friday.

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A military band played background music while the historic vote was held in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, a colossal state structure on the edge of Tiananmen Square, which was decorated with red carpets and banners.

A digital monitor on the edge of the stage proclaimed the final tally — all 2,952 votes had been cast in favour of giving Xi another term in office.

The announcement was followed by delegates’ fervent declarations of allegiance to the Chinese constitution, in a demonstration of loyalty and unanimity.

Xi held up his right fist and placed his left hand on a red, leather-bound copy of China’s constitution.

In an oath beamed live on state television, he vowed to “build a prosperous, strong, democratic, civilised, harmonious and great modern socialist country”.

China’s close ally Russia swiftly offered Xi its “sincere congratulations” on his re-election.

“Russia highly values your personal contribution toward the strengthening of ties… and strategic cooperation between our nations,” President Vladimir Putin said in a letter to his “dear friend” Xi.