CPC proposes change on president’s term
BEIJING. - The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee made public its proposal on amendment to the country’s Constitution Sunday.
The proposal includes addition of President Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to the Constitution and removing the expression of term limits for the country’s President and Vice-President, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Removing the constitutional restriction to two terms is a significant decision made by the CPC to serve its historic mission in the new era of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, Su Wei, a professor at the Party School of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, told the Global Times on Sunday.
“Especially in the period from 2020 to 2035, which is a crucial stage for China to basically realise socialist modernisation, China and the CPC need a stable, strong and consistent leadership.
So removal of the section of the clause about the presidency in the Constitution is serving the most important and fundamental national interest and the Party’s historic mission,” Su said.
In a two-stage development plan of China, drawn up by President Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, the first stage is “from 2020 to 2035” which is “to see that socialist modernisation is basically realised”; and the second stage from “2035 to the middle of the 21st century,” China will develop “into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful.”
“The decision has been made after careful consideration, and this is an adjustment to serve China’s current situation and future development, which is consistent with Chinese political characteristics and goals,” a Chinese scholar who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Sunday.
The trinity of the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission has positive meaning, the expert said.
“In order to achieve the great goal from 2020 to the middle of the 21st century, China needs a centralised and unified leadership; otherwise the decentralisation of authority will impact realisation of the great goal.”
On Saturday, President Xi stressed the important role of the Constitution.
“No organisation or individual has the power to overstep the Constitution or the law,” President Xi said while presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Xinhua reported.
The CPC Central Committee also proposed writing President Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the country’s Constitution. The proposal was made public on Sunday, Xinhua reported.
The proposed Constitutional amendment requires the approval of the National People’s Congress, which is scheduled to hold its annual session in March. - Global Times.