Editor's Pick: Xi Jinping secures convention-defying third term

The latest quinquennial Chinese congress on Saturday was host to multiple departures from varied political conventions of the country. It concluded with incumbent leader Xi Jinping securing a precedent-defying third term in office. In addition to this, four allies of the incumbent leader are expected to be appointed to the Standing Committee of China’s highest policy-making body, Politburo. The clean sweep has been made possible by apparently forcing the early retirement of other officials from a governance structure that historically has witnessed sharing of power between different factions. The developments hence pave the way for Mr. Xi’s unchallenged domination of Chinese politics for the next five years. Shattering both factional equations and ‘collective leadership’, China has been suggested to be transiting to one-man rule. During the Congress, former leader Hu Jintao (79) was escorted off the stage before the voting was to commence on approving amendments to the party constitution. The other set of exclusions include second-ranked leader Li Keqiang and fourth-ranked Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) Member Wang Yang – both allies of Mr. Hu. Their early retirements – with both being under the unofficial retirement age of 68 – would pave the way for four new appointments to the PBSC with another two due to retire. Mr. Li will however continue as Premier until his term concludes in March. Drew Thomposon, Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the national University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (NSU, Singapore) tweeted, “This is a leadership that will be focused on achieving Xi’s political goals, rather than pursuing their own agendas for what they think is best for the country. There is only one correct way to govern, and that is Xi’s way.” He added separately, “It is clear from the outcome of the 20th Party Congress that national security and the Party’s political security take precedence over economic growth.” Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor‘s Pick and more. Click here The Hindu Explains Why users need to wait for 5G implementation Why is Pakistan off FATF ‘grey list’? The Hindu’s Daily Quiz The Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking the opening of 22 rooms and a fact-finding inquiry into the history of a monument, filed by BJP member Rajneesh Singh. Which monument? Taj Mahal Gol Gumbaz Hawa Mahal Charminar To know the answer and to take the quiz, click here [logo] Editor's Pick 23 OCTOBER 2022 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]( [Open in browser]( [Mail icon]( [More newsletters]( Xi Jinping secures convention-defying third term The latest quinquennial Chinese congress on Saturday was host to multiple departures from varied political conventions of the country. It concluded with incumbent leader Xi Jinping securing a precedent-defying third term in office. In addition to this, four allies of the incumbent leader are expected to be appointed to the [Standing Committee]( China’s highest policy-making body, Politburo. The clean sweep has been made possible by apparently forcing the early retirement of other officials from a governance structure that historically has witnessed sharing of power between different factions. The developments hence pave the way for Mr. Xi’s unchallenged domination of Chinese politics for the next five years. Shattering both factional equations and ‘collective leadership’, China has been suggested to be transiting to one-man rule. During the Congress, former leader Hu Jintao (79) was escorted off the stage before the voting was to commence on approving amendments to the party constitution. The other set of exclusions include second-ranked leader Li Keqiang and fourth-ranked Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) Member Wang Yang – both allies of Mr. Hu. Their early retirements – with both being under the unofficial retirement age of 68 – would pave the way for [four new appointments]( to the PBSC with another two due to retire. Mr. Li will however continue as Premier until his term concludes in March. Drew Thomposon, Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the national University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (NSU, Singapore) tweeted, “This is a leadership that will be focused on achieving Xi’s political goals, rather than pursuing their own agendas for what they think is best for the country. There is only one correct way to govern, and that is Xi’s way.” He added separately, “It is clear from the outcome of the 20th Party Congress that national security and the Party’s political security take precedence over economic growth.” Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor‘s Pick and more. 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