Did Beijing Just Make Xi Jinping China’s Ruler For Life?

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and British Prime Minister Theresa May gesture ahead a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and British Prime Minister Theresa May gesture ahead a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. Wu Hong/Pool Photo via AP
Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and British Prime Minister Theresa May gesture ahead a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and British Prime Minister Theresa May gesture ahead a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. Wu Hong/Pool Photo via AP

Did Beijing Just Make Xi Jinping China’s Ruler For Life?

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China’s Communist Party announced on Sunday it would do away with term limits for the presidency. The decision could make President Xi Jinping de facto leader for life. Signs of the move were apparent at last October’s Communist Party National Congress. The gathering broke with tradition by not naming a possible successor to Xi, At the time, China’s constitution would limit Xi to two terms, forcing him to leave office by 2023. He has served as president since 2013. To discuss Xi’s unquestioned grip on power, we’re joined by Wen Huang, a Chicago-based writer, journalist, and human rights advocate. He’s author of the books The Little Red Guard and A Death in the Lucky Holiday Hotel: Murder, Money and an Epic Power Struggle in China.