Xi Jinping secures historic third term as China’s President

Xi Jinping has secured a third five-year term as China’s President, tightening his grip as the country’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. He has been re-elected as head of the country’s Central Military Commission in a unanimous vote. The election sets up Xi to become communist China’s longest-serving president. He might even be able to rule well into his seventies, especially in the absence of an opponent. Mr Xi has solidified his rule as China reopens from his bruising zero-Covid policy that has fuelled anti-government protests. The country is also facing a falling birth rate that threatens its economic growth engine. In the Chinese system of governance, the functions of the president are largely ceremonial.