Xi Jinping becomes most powerful ruler since Chairman Mao after securing third term

Xi Jinping has become the most powerful Chinese leader since Chairman Mao after winning a third term as head of the Communist Party.

Defying the tradition that sees leaders leave after a decade, the 69-year-old will lead China for another five years, having first taken up the position in 2012.

News of the re-election comes after extraordinary footage saw Jinping's former political rival and predecessor Hu Jintao, 79, escorted by guards from the Communist Party Congress.

While the reason for the removal was not initially clear, it's since been claimed that he was taken out of the event, which takes place every five years, because he was 'not feeling well'.

Jinato was Jinping's direct predecessor, and according to reports, he is now 'much better'.

However, despite claims that the former leader was unwell, in footage of his removal, he looked visibly confused about what was going on and even briefly stopped to speak to Jinping before being taken away.

PA / Andy Wong / AP

As reported by the MailOnline, some people are now speculating that the newly-reelected Chinese leader will attempt to stay in power for the rest of his life.

Jinping secured his position for another five years by vowing to exert tighter controls on both society and the economy.

Since his re-election, he has since announced his number two and number three.

Despite heading the problematic lockdown of Shanghai during the Covid-19 pandemic, the number two position was given to Li Qiang, the former secretary of the Shanghai party.

Meanwhile, a member of the previous committee, Zhao Leji, was given the number three position.

The Communist Party has now amended its constitution, which has led some to believe Jinping is planning to secure his position as leader for the rest of his life.

The new text allegedly 'sets out clear requirements for upholding and strengthening the party's overall leadership'.

Alamy / PA Images

Foreign media were banned from first part of the party meeting which saw Jinping reelected.

According to political analysts, it was 'resounding victory for Xi' and 'more decisive than many experienced observers had forecast'.

Richard McGregor, the senior fellow for East Asia, Lowy Institute, Sydney said of the win: "All of his rivals, potential and real, have been forced out of the Politburo Standing Committee and Xi loyalists took their place. The new Politburo is an emphatic statement of Xi's dominance over the party.

"I think the congress has drawn a line between the past and the future in profound ways, both for Chinese domestic politics and the way in which its influence spills out into the rest of the world."

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