XI EXPECTED TO ‘ BEND THE RULES’ TO EXTEND PRESIDENCY

BEIJING Speculation is growing that Chinese President Xi Jinping is looking to extend his rule beyond the conventional 10- year period as Communist Party chiefs attend a key meeting Monday.

Almost 400 senior officials will attend a four- day conference to draw up the agenda for next year’s 19th party congress, when Xi could announce his successor. But Chinese observers are predicting the declaration could be delayed, fuelling speculation Xi is seeking to become the first leader since Deng Xiaoping to remain in power beyond the 10-year period of office.

Xi assumed the leadership of the Communist Party by becoming general secretary in late 2012. He is expected to stand down in 2022.

Steven Tsang, professor of Chinese studies at the University of Nottingham, said Xi could seek to extend his rule by using the conference to ensure key allies retain their positions — specifically, in cabinet.

Five of its seven members — all except Xi and Li Keqiang, the prime minister — are expected to step down after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 68 next year. But Xi will try to “bend the rule” to keep close friend Wang Qishan in office, Tsang said.

“If he can do that, he will keep his most powerful ally in place and indicate he may stay on for a third term,” he said.