China's National People's Congress has appointed Xi Jinping for a third term as President, hinting at the possibility of Xi Jinping remaining in power for life.
This endorsement confirms Xi Jinping's prolonged control, sidelining potential rivals and filling the ranks of the elite with his supporters.
The existence of a two-term limit on the Presidency was overlooked by deleting it from the constitution earlier.
Influential news sources such as The Independent, The Times, CNN, and AP News reported yesterday that China's ceremonial National People's Congress voted unanimously to keep Xi Jinping in power for longer than previously anticipated.
Xi has already been a leader of the Chinese Communist Party for three terms and Commander-in-Chief of the military, with his latest reappointment demonstrating the extent of his power grab.
While the presidency remains a largely ceremonial role, it nonetheless endows Xi with significant legitimacy, leading CNN to state that "the presidency -- or 'state chairman' in Chinese -- is a largely ceremonial title".
The fact that Xi Jinping received unanimous support and a standing ovation is telling to the extent of his control.
The Times in particular hinted that Xi may attempt to imitate Mao Zedong's reign and rule until he dies due to a lack of successors present in the circle of the politburo standing committee.
Such interpretations of Xi's latest reappointment are compounded by the deletion of a two-term limit on the presidency from the Chinese constitution.
In contrast, the AP News and Euronews emphasised that Xi Jinping's recent appointment was expected.
It was seen as a formality following his third term as head of the Communist Party last year.
Xi's control over China is uncontested: he has sidelined potential rivals, filled the ranks of the ruling Communist Party with supporters, secured a third five-year term as a party general secretary, and is now the longest-serving head of Communist China.
His recent reappointment adds an unparalleled level of stability but, as The Independent highlights, also extends his power grab further.