Xi secures 2nd term as head of China’s ruling Communist Party

TIL Desk/World/Beijing/ Xi Jinping today secured a second five-year term as the head of the ruling Communist Party as it unveiled its new leadership with the Chinese president attaining iconic status enjoyed by modern China’s founder Chairman Mao Zedong.

Xi, 64, was elected in a closed-door vote to head the Politburo Standing Committee while Prime Minister Li Keqiang retained his seat on the ruling council alongside five new members.

Xi and Li walked along with members of the new Politburo Standing Committee before a media event telecast live all over world from Beijing’s massive Great Hall of the People. Five other men replaced comrades who had reached an informal retirement age of 68.

Xi in a brief address, thanked the national and international media for working hard in reporting about the Congress. He spoke about the China entering new era of modernisation. “As I look ahead to the next five years, I see several important junctures and signposts,” Xi said.