Xi re-elected Prez, trusted aide is deputy

Beijing, March 17

Xi Jinping was today re-elected as President for a second five-year tenure by China’s rubber-stamp Parliament, days after it scrapped the two-term rule for the presidency. His aide Wang Qishan was elected Vice-President.

The National People’s Congress also elected 64-year-old Xi as the head of the Central Military Commission, the overall high command of the two million strong military. Wang is the most feared official in China as carried out the anti-corruption campaign for the past five years initiated by Xi in which over 1.5 million officials, including over 100 ministers and top generals, were punished.

Wang’s election with life-long tenure may be problematic for the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) as he could transform a largely ceremonial position into a real seat of power, say experts. — PTI

Rubber stamped 

• Xi is the first Chinese leader to rule for life after party founder Chairman Mao Zedong
• Xi got 2,970 votes whereas Wang polled 2,969 one vote less in the carefully choreographed poll
• Wang is the man behind anti-graft drive in which 1.5mn officials including top generals and ministers were punished