Umamah Bakharia | ub@radioislam.co.za

3 min read
26 October 2022 | 11:15 am CAT

China’s President Xi Jinping has made a historic third term as the Communist Party’s leader, placing him as one of the nation’s most influential rulers since Mao Zedong.

Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Photo credit: CNN

On Sunday, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) elected Xi as its general secretary for another five-year term.

Speaking to Radio Islam International on this week’s ‘Media Lens’, analyst Ebrahim Deen says Xi’s reinstatement as president was expected as he had gained momentum in the party.

“It’s not a surprise that he is being elected, but there does seem to be a very strong consolidation of control around him – so he’s power has increased,” says Deen.

Xi’s presidency will be formally announced during the Chinese government’s annual legislative sessions in March next year.

“I wish to thank the whole party sincerely for the trust you have placed in us,” said Xi after his appointment, as he promised to “work diligently in the performance of our duties to prove worthy of the great trust of our party and our people”.

During the announcement, the CCP named a seven-member Politburo Standing Committee (PSC), which Xi will lead.

“In looking at the people elected, we see a focus on politics rather than economics which hasn’t been there before – it’s all about loyalty, all about socialism and Chinese politics as opposed to economic growth,” says Deen.

However, Deen warns that media coverage of Xi’s appointment has been somewhat “scripted” for his opponents.