China’s Xi has been elected president for an unprecedented third term

BEIJING – Xi Jinping won an unprecedented third term as China’s president on Friday.

Xi was widely expected to continue as president during this month’s largely ceremonial parliamentary session, known as the “Two Sessions”. The annual meeting refers to the meetings of the Consultative Committee of the National People’s Congress and the Legislative Assembly.

Congressional representatives on Friday formally reappointed Xi as chairman of the Central Military Commission.

Xi rose through China’s political ranks, becoming president in 2013 and abolishing term limits in 2018.

At the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October, Xi cemented his control over the ruling party by filling the highest circle of leadership with loyalists.

Zhao Lezhi, a member of that key committee that oversees party discipline, formally became chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on Friday.

After twice-a-decade party congresses, top leaders of the Chinese Communist Party fill government positions such as president and prime minister.

China’s delegates are set to approve a new premier on Saturday.

Xi is scheduled to address the closing ceremony of the parliamentary session on Monday. The new Prime Minister is scheduled to address the media that day.

Han Zheng, who was previously the executive vice-chancellor, formally became the vice-chancellor on Friday. Wang Qishan previously held this role.

Delegates on Friday approved a proposal to reorganize the State Council, the top executive body of the Chinese government.

A draft of the plan was released earlier this week and is expected to significantly increase direct control of the government by the ruling Chinese Communist Party.