On Sunday, China's President Xi Jinping won a historic third term and elevated some of his closest Communist Party friends, consolidating his position as the country's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.
Xi, who took power in 2012, was awarded a third five-year term as general secretary, discarding a party custom under which his predecessor left after 10 years.
Xi was chosen as the party's general secretary in a closed-door vote after a week-long congress in which he cemented his grasp on power.
“The world needs China,” said Jinping as he spoke to the press after securing a historic third term as the leader on Sunday.
“China cannot develop without the world, and the world also 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 promised to “work diligently in the performance of our duties to prove worthy of the great trust of our party and our people.”
Xi was also reappointed as head of China’s Central Military Commission.
Xi, who took power in 2012, was awarded a third five-year term as general secretary, discarding a party custom under which his predecessor left after 10 years.
Xi was chosen as the party's general secretary in a closed-door vote after a week-long congress in which he cemented his grasp on power.
“The world needs China,” said Jinping as he spoke to the press after securing a historic third term as the leader on Sunday.
“China cannot develop without the world, and the world also 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 promised to “work diligently in the performance of our duties to prove worthy of the great trust of our party and our people.”
Xi was also reappointed as head of China’s Central Military Commission.
