Xi Jinping’s most recent moves to consolidate power should make China’s neighbors —and the world — very nervous.
The News Lens
Date: 2018/02/26
By: Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文)
With the announcement of the proposed changes to the Chinese constitution, the world
Credit: REUTERS/Dale De La Rey
has been rightfully alarmed by the section eliminating term limits on the president, which effectively opens up the possibility of Xi Jinping becoming a leader for life.
He has also proposed enshrining “Xi Jinping Thought” in the constitution, raising his stature equal to that of Mao Zedong, the last truly absolute ruler of China. Xi has been consolidating power for some time across the board using a wide range of tactics, but these constitutional changes appear to signal that Xi’s endgame is coming nearer: ultimate power.
As noted in an article posted here earlier today:
“The timing of the Sunday missive is telling as well. Coming at the beginning of a second term, it both cements for the moment Xi’s overwhelming authority over the party and the government, and also sends a warning to his legion of enemies at the top of the party who have been hit by the anti-corruption campaign: he is not going anywhere.”
[FULL STORY]
