After endorsement for third term, China hints at Xi's participation in G20

PTI

Beijing, October 20

China on Thursday dropped a subtle hint that President Xi Jinping, who is widely expected to get endorsed by the ongoing Congress of the ruling Communist Party for a record third term, will attend next month's G20 summit in Indonesia.

Also, the Chinese Foreign Ministry flaunted the "diplomatic success" achieved under the 10-year rule of Xi, saying during his reign China has "robustly" upheld its sovereignty and security.

The once-in-a-five-year Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) being held here from October 16 is widely expected to endorse an unprecedented third five-year term or perhaps a lifelong tenure in power to Xi later this week besides enhancing his powers through constitutional amendments.

Barring 69-year-old Xi, the Congress would endorse a whole set of new top-level leaders and officials, including the Premier, heralding a new administration under the Chinese President who is all set to breach the mandatory retirement for CPC leaders after 10-year tenure. Xi, who is completing 10-year tenure this year, will be the first Chinese leader after party founder Mao Zedong to continue in power, formally ending three decades of rule followed by his predecessors to retire. In a special media briefing here on Thursday, officials of the CPC and claimed that Chinese diplomacy has achieved "unprecedented and historic" breakthroughs during Xi's tenure.

"We give active support to the G20 Presidency of Indonesia and support Bali summit's theme of 'recover stronger, recover together'," Ma Zhaoxu, a member of the CPC Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vice Minister, said when asked whether Xi will attend next month's G-20 summit in Bali.

"China hopes the summit will play a constructive role in enhancing international cooperation against Covid-19, promoting world economic recovery and safeguarding global food energy security," he said.

"As far Chinese leader's participation in the summit, we will release the relevant information in due course," he said.

Though the Congress endorsement of Xi's continuation in power is officially projected as a done deal with officials projecting him as the "Core Leader" of the party, an official resolution on leadership is expected to be passed on October 22, the last day of the meeting.

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