Anything else would have been a surprise: the 2952 delegates of the National People's Congress unanimously confirmed Xi Jinping for a third term as head of state. The vote was only a formality on Friday.

Friederike Böge

Political correspondent for China, North Korea and Mongolia.

  • Follow I follow

Exactly five years ago, when Xi Jinping amended the constitution to remain in office for more than ten years, it came as a shock to many Chinese. The two-term limit was introduced in 1982 to allow for peaceful transfers of power after years of chaos and tyranny (during the Cultural Revolution). This was achieved twice. Xi Jinping has abolished all mechanisms designed to prevent as much power from being concentrated in the hands of one man as it was under Mao.

In recent days, Xi has made it clear where he wants to focus his rule in the future. In order to survive in the great power conflict with the United States, China should become more independent than before of imports of raw materials and Western high technology. The modernisation of the armed forces is to be accelerated. The private sector should submit to the guidelines of the Communist Party.

Distraction from the poor economic situation

Xi is using the US as an enemy to fuel nationalism, distract from the poor economic situation and demand unity and willingness to deprive society. Xi accuses the US of "containing, encircling and suppressing" China. "Containment" refers primarily to American export restrictions that make it difficult for China to access state-of-the-art semiconductors and artificial intelligence technologies. "Encirclement" refers to military alliances such as AUKUS, in which the US, Australia and Britain participate, as well as US military cooperation with Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan.

The presidency is the least influential of Xi Jinping's three offices: party chief, chairman of the Central Military Commission, head of state. With China's growing global influence, however, it has gained in importance. Officially, Xi is not referred to as president in China, but as chairman of the People's Republic. Many experts reject the term "president" for China because it obscures the fact that the country is a one-party dictatorship. More important than the confirmation of office on Friday was therefore the party congress in October, at which Xi secured a third term as party leader.

Only in one case was there a vote against

Xi was also "unanimously" confirmed as commander-in-chief of the armed forces by the People's Congress on Friday. In general, almost all personnel decisions were unanimous. Only in one case was there a vote against. To be on the safe side, the media representatives had to leave the hall during the vote. Explicit consent was not required because the ballots are designed in such a way that an unmarked paper is counted as a yes.

The sessions in the Great Hall of the People are usually staged down to the last detail. Even a seemingly casual chat between Xi and the number two party hierarchy, Li Qiang, was watched closely. Li Qiang is expected to be appointed as the new premier on Saturday. Later, the number three and four of the hierarchy, Zhao Leji and Wang Huning, joined the chat. Unlike outgoing Premier Li Keqiang, they are all close followers of Xi Jinping. The scene was therefore interpreted as a demonstration of unity.

Since they owe all their positions to Xi Jinping, the question is whether they would be willing to contradict him and inform him of the negative effects of his policies. Some observers believe Xi could give the new Premier Li Qiang more powers in economic policy because he does not have to fear him as a rival. Others rather expect a further rigidity of the structures. The outgoing prime minister, placed alongside Xi at previous meetings, did not take part in the vote.