Xi Jinping set to be next Mao

China’s President Xi Jinping is on course to gain a lifetime tenure as the leader of his country at the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress, the rubberstamp Parliament, slated to meet on March 5. This will make him, in effect, the Mao of the 21st century.

The official news agency Xinhua made the announcement following the recent decision of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party to amend the provision of the 1982 Constitution that had limited the term of the President and the vice-president to no more than two consecutive terms of five years each. Mr Xi came to power in 2013.

The development makes it clear that the current leader has succeeded in concentrating all political and military power in his hands. To underline Mr Xi’s elevated status, the 19th Congress of the CPC last October had decided to incorporate in the Constitution his thought on building socialism with Chinese characteristics “in the new era”. This was indication that Mr Xi will wield absolute power until he survives.

The 19th Congress had underscored China’s aim to be a modern military world power by 2050, and to achieve that status in a “basic” way as early as 2020. The country’s military budget is to see an escalation of seven per cent per annum, with focus on the Navy, Air Force and the missiles component of the armed forces. The stage may thus be deemed to be set for maritime military forays under President Xi, and radiating of military power in all directions. India will be remiss if it did not absorb the right message in the context of Doklam and Beijing’s ambitions in the Maldives.