Chinese President Xi Jinping effectively ensured an unprecedented third term in office by solidifying complete control of the Communist Party as its Congress ended on Saturday (October 22).
The twice-a-decade congress concluded with China’s ruling party’s approval of a sweeping reshuffle that saw several top officials resign and appointment of new allies.
Xi is all set to clinch a third five-year leadership term as party general secretary. The 69-year-old will become the most powerful leader in China since Mao Zedong, who established the People’s Republic.
The new leadership will be unveiled at around noon (0400 GMT) on Sunday, shortly after the first meeting of the new Central Committee.
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According to a unanimously adopted resolution on amendments to the party charter, delegates subsequently supported a call requiring all party members to “uphold Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole.”
Xi as general secretary will allow him to enter a third term as China’s president. It is due to be announced during the government’s annual legislative sessions in March.
Just before the closing ceremony, around 200 top party leaders that make up the Central Committee were chosen. According to a list of the group’s representatives, four out of the party’s Standing Committee’s seven members were involved.
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Hu Jintao was escorted off the stage
The gathering, attended by 2,300 party delegates, was meticulously planned, but an unusual incident happened.
Hu Jintao, the former leader, was escorted out of the closing ceremony in an unexpected move that disturbed the proceedings in the Great Hall of the People. The 79-year-old who was seated next to Xi in the front row appeared reluctant to get up and go.
Later, state media said that Hu was “not feeling well” when he was unexpectedly removed from the closing ceremony.
Xinhua said on Twitter: “Xinhuanet reporter Liu Jiawen has learned that Hu Jintao insisted on attending the closing session… despite the fact that he has been taking time to recuperate recently. When he was not feeling well during the session, his staff, for his health, accompanied him to a room next to the meeting venue for a rest.”
“Now, he is much better,” it added.
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