China reaffirms Xi’s power, removes No. 2

BEIJING: China on Saturday amended the Communist Party constitution to further cement leader Xi Jinping’s status and, for the first time, enshrined its opposition to Taiwan’s independence in the charter.

Xi is all set to begin a custombreaking third term as China’s leader on Sunday as he further strengthened his grip over the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Saturday through new amendments to the party charter and easing out top leaders including Premier Li Keqiang to make space for allies in the top leadership hierarchy.

Xi is expected to be named as CPC general secretary on Sunday and in March 2023, begin his

third term as President. The week-long 20th CPC national congress concluded on Saturday

with 2,296 delegates electing a new 205-member Central Com