Chinese President Xi Has Now Become China's Most Powerful Leader Since Mao

The Guardian: Xi Jinping becomes most powerful leader since Mao with China's change to constitution

Rare accolade puts Xi’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics into Communist charter and sets him on course for indefinite spell in power

Xi Jinping has been consecrated as China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong after a new body of political thought carrying his name was added to the Communist party’s constitution.

The symbolic move came on the final day of a week-long political summit in Beijing – the 19th party congress – at which Xi has pledged to lead the world’s second largest economy into a “new era” of international power and influence.

At a closing ceremony in the Mao-era Great Hall of the People on Tuesday it was announced that Xi’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era had been written into the party charter.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I would not say that President Xi is the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao .... Mao and Deng Xiaoping played a very unique role in Chinese history and politics .... and comparing President Xi to these men is a bit of a stretch. The next key event is tomorrows selection of who is to be in the seven member politburo standing committee. President Xi's successor when his term ends 5 years from now should be in this group .... All Eyes on Xi Succession Plan as China Party Congress Ends (Bloomberg).

Update: President Xi's closest ally (and China's second most powerful political leader) has retired .... China anti-graft tsar cut from top Communist party leadership (Financial Times). This retirement is important .... it signals that when a Chinese political leader reaches the age of 68, he must retire. I have been told by my Chinese friends that the expectation is that Chinese President Xi will also respect this rule, and that he will retire in 5 years.

More News On Chinese President Xi Becoming China's "Most Powerful Leader" Since Mao

China elevates Xi to most powerful leader in decades -- CBC/AP
China's president Xi Jinping is elevated to the same status as Chairman Mao as Communist Party enshrines his ideology in constitution -- Daily Mail
Xi Jinping: Final stop to absolute power -- ABC News Online
Xi Jinping Becomes China's Most Powerful Leader Since Mao Zedong -- Time
China's Xi Jinping Boosts Power With New Honor in Ruling Party's Charter -- RFA
China’s president Xi Jinping formally elevated to the same legendary status as Mao -- National Post/Washington Post
China formally lifts Xi Jinping's status to most powerful leader in decades -- The Telegraph