© AFP / Greg Baker
Xi Jinping's (R) tightening grip on China had already earned the leader comparisons to Mao Zedong, but they came into even sharper focus after the party paved the way for him to assume the presidency indefinitely
Xi Jinping's (R) tightening grip on China had already earned the leader comparisons to Mao Zedong, but they came into even sharper focus after the party paved the way for him to assume the presidency indefinitely
The country has shocked many observers by proposing a constitutional amendment to end the two-term limit for presidents, giving Xi a clear path to rule the world's second largest economy for life.
The rubber-stamp National People's Congress (NPC) is certain to endorse the move next week, meaning that Xi -- already China's most powerful leader in decades -- can stay as president beyond 2023.
Comment: So "the Party" in both China and the U.S. censor views on social media. That's the real issue here. Freedom of speech is curtailed to varying degrees all over the planet. It's a problem we haven't solved yet - in the east or the west. As for the upcoming decision to allow Xi to be president for life, that's not such a big deal. If a leader does a good job and retains the support of his people, it would serve his nation better for him to stay in office for as long as possible. The danger, of course, is that he will become a tyrant. So far, Xi hasn't given any indication that he is a tyrant. We have to agree with Sarah Sanders here: if that's what China wants to do, that's China's decision.