On October 23, 2022, President Xi Jinping officially began his third term as president of China. The congress party’s leadership groups were chosen by around 2,300 delegates, to be formally announced in March during the government’s annual legislative sessions. Xi was also reappointed head of China’s Central Military Commission, keeping him in charge of the People’s Liberation Army.
Furthermore, the appointment of six of Xi’s protégés and allies as members of the Politburo Standing Committee was announced. They included Li Qiang, Xi’s former chief of staff, Ding Xuexiang, a close friend of Xi, and Li Xi, the president’s longstanding confidant and leader of the Guangdong party. Apart from two men, anti-corruption chief Zhao Leji and political theorist Wang Huning, the rest of the elected members are all new to the team.
After introducing the team, President Xi gave a brief speech in which he thanked the party for placing its trust in them and vowed to bring about the great rejuvenation of the Chinese country on all fronts. He also stressed on modernization which would entail high-quality development and common prosperity, moderate wealth for all people rather than just a few.
“I wish to thank the whole party sincerely for the trust you have placed in us,” Xi told journalists at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People after the closed-door vote was announced.
No other leader besides Communist Party founder Mao Zedong has ever served a third term, this development solidifies Xi as the most powerful leader since Zedong.
Leaders of China’s allies, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un were among the first to send their congratulations. The United States offered no immediate response.
Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated Xi Jinping on securing a third term as chief of China’s Communist Party (CPC). The president said in his message that China is Pakistan’s true friend and expressed hope that relations between the two countries would further strengthen in the days to come. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that Xi’s re-election was a testament to his unwavering devotion to serving the people of China.
The 20th National Congress of the CPC is an important political event that would profoundly impact the global political and economic landscape, Pakistani Ambassador to China Moin ul Haque told the Global Times in written form. The ambassador stated that because of China’s extensive integration with the global economy and trade, the world’s post-COVID economic recovery depends critically on China’s steady economic growth.
Xi made signature remarks celebrating China’s rise as a global power and its success under his rule. “The world needs China,” Xi said. “After more than 40 years of unflagging efforts towards reform and opening up, we have created two miracles- rapid economic development and long-term social stability.”
He concluded that the Chinese economy is resilient, capable, and flexible. It will continue to have solid fundamentals and move in a positive trajectory in the long term. China will open its door in the international arena and remain consistent in pursuing high-quality development. A prosperous China will create many more opportunities for the world.
