Amid growing tensions with the US and deepening economic challenges, Xi Jinping began an unprecedented third term as China’s president, securing the Chinese leader’s unchallenged grip on power.
On Friday, 10th March 2023, nearly 3,000 members of the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s largely ceremonial parliament, voted unanimously for Xi after the constitution was changed to remove the traditional two-term limit for the post.
While Xi has secured a firm grip on power, he faces a myriad of internal and external challenges. The Chinese economy is struggling to recover from three years of harsh zero-Covid restrictions, investor confidence is waning, and a demographic crisis is looming as the country registered its first population decline in six decades. China is also facing a series of diplomatic issues such as the flak received for the country’s growing partnership with Russia and while the ties between Beijing and Washington remain testy, recently highlighted by allegations China had been spying on the US with balloons.
Russian President Vladimir Putin not only highly appreciated Xi’s contribution “to strengthening relations of comprehensive cooperation and strategic interaction” between Moscow and Beijing, TASS reported. Putin also congratulated Xi on his extended term, according to Russian state media, “I am confident that working together, we will ensure the further growth of fruitful Russian-Chinese cooperation in various fields.”
