The Communist Party of China (CPC)’s 20th national congress is scheduled to begin in Beijing on October 16. Held every five years, this week-long political event has some crucial tasks including reshuffling personnel, amending the party constitution and announcing future policy. The party general secretary will present a comprehensive political report. However, this edition marks a significant departure in China’s political landscape, especially in elite politics.
Seeking absolute power
Xi Jinping is galloping towards a third term. Though the party charter is silent on the term limits for the general secretary, the state constitutional amendment in 2018 scrapped the two-term limit of the state presidency. Extending the presidential term limit will lead to alignment of government and party posts. As per the 1982 state constitution, the party and state positions were held by different people. Only in 1993 did the two apex positions begin to be held by a single individual. Jiang Zemin, who was appointed party general secretary in 1989 during the Tiananmen Square crisis, and was again elected to the 14th CCP National Congress in 1992, served as party general secretary until 2002 and as state president from 1993 to 2003. Hu Jintao occupied the same positions for two terms. However, Mr. Xi’s goal for a third term looks certain. The much-touted retirement age cap of 68 will not impact his prospects. Mr. Xi is 69, but being the ‘ hexin’ or ‘core’ of the party Central Committee makes him the ‘ yibashou’ or the ‘first hand’, which signifies his absolute power.
