China's rubber-stamp parliament has awarded President Xi Jinping an unprecedented third term, making him modern China's longest-serving president.
Xi has already been the head of the Chinese Communist Party and the military for the last five years.
Despite facing widespread protests against his zero-Covid policy and its abandonment, he remains the most powerful Chinese leader in generations.
Xi has also been appointed commander of China's two million-strong People's Liberation Army.
His leadership faces several challenges such as containment by foreign powers, tackling the effects of a changing global order, and managing domestic discontent.
According to France 24, protests against the zero-Covid policy have been avoided at the National People's Congress (NPC), which has been heavily choreographed to appoint Xi ally Li Qiang as the new premier.
Al Jazeera reports that "all are party veterans with close personal and professional ties to Xi" who will serve alongside Xi on the committee.
Meanwhile, The Guardian states that lawmakers at the NPC have focused on upgrading Beijing's science ministry and tech capabilities to counteract foreign containment, which one NPC deputy described as an attempt to suppress China's rise.
Xi's reappointment comes amid concerns of government overreach and suppression of human rights, as China's government continues its crackdown on dissent.
However, Xi's supporters laud him for his efforts to modernise China's military and economy, and for consolidating political power with an aim of sustained economic growth.
Despite differing viewpoints, all sources agree that Xi's third term marks a significant milestone in his rise to power and his continued dominance of China's political landscape.