-Xi Jinping has secured a historic third term as president, consolidating his power and becoming China’s most dominant leader in generations.

-His power comes from being General Secretary of the Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, making him the most powerful figure in China’s political and military spheres.

-As China faces challenges such as a falling birth rate, anti-government protests, and testy relations with the US, Xi’s centralization under the party with him at the helm is seen as a solution to these disparate issues, but the outcome remains uncertain.

Xi Jinping has officially begun his historic third term as China’s president, cementing his position as the country’s most dominant leader in generations. His confirmation had been widely expected, given his consolidation of power as General Secretary of the Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), which are considered more influential than the largely ceremonial role of president. Mr Xi’s third term comes as China faces multiple challenges, including anti-government protests, a falling birth rate, and testy relations with the US, which were recently highlighted by allegations of Chinese spying on the US with balloons.

The appointments of Mr Xi’s loyalists in the coming days are considered more important than his third term, including the expected appointment of Li Qiang as his number two. Han Zheng, a former Politburo Standing Committee member, was also appointed as vice president, with his role expected to closely follow Mr Xi’s direction and enforce his policies. The upcoming Two Sessions of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) are closely watched as they provide a glimpse into China’s direction in the coming years.

It remains to be seen whether Mr Xi’s centralisation under the party with him at the helm will be a solution to China’s challenges, or if it will make them worse. However, Mr Xi’s third term as president and chairman of the CMC solidify his rule as China reopens from his zero-Covid policy. The world will be watching to see what the future holds for China under Mr Xi’s leadership.

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