Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with newly-elected Vice-President Wang Qishan at the fifth plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Saturday. (Reuters)
Chinese President Xi Jinping was re-elected as the president and Chairman of the Central Military Commission with all 2,970 votes in his favour Saturday. Wang Qishan, a close associated of Xi who was in charge of China’s anti-corruption drive was elected as the new Vice President at the annual session of the National People’s Congress (NPC), with 2,969 votes in his favour and only one dissenting vote cast against him. Xi’s re-election by the NPC through a vote was largely a formality. On March 11, the NPC had cleared an amendment to its constitution removing the clause limiting the presidency and vice-presidency to two five-year terms. This will allow Xi to continue as president beyond his term limit of 2023.
The newly elected also took a solemn oath of allegiance. This is the first time a Chinese president has taken a public oath of allegiance to the Constitution, the fundamental law of the country, upon assuming office.
Wang Qishan, 69, who as the head of China’s anti-corruption body — the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party from 2012 to 2017 — was widely feared for carrying out Xi-mandated anti-corruption purges. These purges had led to a number of senior Chinese officials being sent to prison.
But in October 2017, Wang had decided to step down from all his posts and retire from public life. The former historian, who has served as the mayor of Beijing, has now been handpicked by Xi Jinping for the post of Vice President. He replaces Li Yuanchao. Due to his experience, Wang is expected to act as a counsellor to Xi. Wang was the only candidate on the ballot for the post of vice president after his name was nominated by the party.