President Xi Jinping ruling the roost at the 19 Congress of the Communist Party of China. Will he made a bid for a third term as President of China as the CPC Congress side stepped announcing his successor.

CPC steers clear of naming Chinese President Xi Jinping’s successor. Xi maintains political system of China is a great creation.

Having consolidated his position, Chinese President Xi Jinping has outlined the way forward emphasising Beijing did not seek global hegemony but “no one should expect China to swallow anything that undermines its interests”. 

He remained uncompromising about his country’s political model steering clear of offering any hint about democratic reforms being on the horizon. “The political system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a great creation,” Xi observed in a marathon three hour 23 minute address at the week-long 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in Beijing recently. 

He affirmed it was time for his country to transform itself into a mighty force that could lead the world in political, economic, military and environmental issues. “This is a new historic juncture in China’s development,” Xi added. 

Having taken over as his country’s leader at the 2012 Congress of the CPC, he has emerged as the most dominant ruler since Mao Zedong.  He believed achieving the China dream will not be a walk in the park and “take more than drum beating and gong clanging to get there”. Having seen the back of his rivals posing a threat to his leadership, one wonders if Xi will adhere to the party constitution ruling out a “life tenure” as there is no term limit for any office unlike the state constitution which prescribes a two-term limit for the presidency. 

It might be premature at this juncture to fathom the post 2022 developments but it seems unlikely that Xi will bid adieu to his pre eminent leadership position like his predecessor Hu Jintao who made his exit after completing two terms as the Chinese President. 

At the same time the most notable and significant aspect of the CPC deliberations is that it did no announce a successor to Xi on completing his second term in 2022 as the President of China. Keen observers of the CPC deliberations believe Xi pitching for a third term as President cannot be ruled out. 

If Xi wants to remain President of China for a third consecutive term, amending the constitution might become a cake walk as he will be overseeing the agenda in the National Peoples’ Congress. On the other hand not having a succession plan has caused factional feuds in the past. 

Since Xi’s arrival on the global scene five years back in 2012, China has emerged as a power calling the shots much to the chagrin of the United States of America as the lone super power amid the waning of influence of other major powers including the Russian Federation.  

Beijing’s growing expansionist tendency encompassing its assertions in the South China Sea, could pose a challenge to India along with the countries in the East. Beijing’s growing clout and heft cannot be undermined thanks to its investments in the far corners of the globe including Africa, South America and Latin America.

It has also taken up the massive “One Belt One Road” project linking Europe with China. OBOR seeks to link no less than 60 nations in the process.  On its part New Delhi has serious objections to joining this project as it passes through the disputed Kashmir territory. 

President Xi remains all powerful in his country at present which will largely depend on how he harnesses the energy of the people of China. There is no doubt he will be keenly watched globally.