President Xi Jinping on Tuesday underlined the overall supremacy of the ruling Communist Party in China and demanded that the two-million strong military and government institutions work under its leadership.
Xi has been re-elected for a five-year second term. He is expected to continue to be in power as the head of the party, the military and the presidency for life, as the National People’s Congress (NPC) ratified a constitutional amendment, removing the two-term limit for the president and vice president.
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In his closing speech at the NPC today, Xi said, “The Party is the highest force for political leadership and the fundamental guarantee of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”.
Over 1.5 million Chinese officials, including over 100 ministers, were punished in the massive anti-corruption drive carried out by Xi in the last five years which also enabled him to consolidate his power.
The NPC has formally ended its 18-day annual session, widely regarded by observers as historic as it formally removed the two-term limit for 64-year-old Xi changing Chinas one-party system virtually into a one-leader state.
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Since he took over power in 2013, Xi who heads the Central Military Commission (CMC), the overall high command of the military, has been calling on the military to strictly follow the CPC orders.
China is a rare country in the world where the military works under the ruling party and not under the government.
Expressing his gratitude for the trust placed on him by all deputies and Chinese people, Xi said “It is a glorious mission and weighty responsibility to take on this great position of the President of the Peoples Republic of China”.
“I will, as always, faithfully fulfil my responsibilities empowered by the Constitution, be loyal to the motherland and the people, perform my duty scrupulously, do all my best, be diligent at work, and stay devoted and dedicated,” he said.
“I will continue to serve as a servant of the people, accept supervision by the people, and will absolutely not betray the great trust from all deputies and Chinese people of all ethnic groups,” he added.
He also said all officials should subject themselves to peoples supervision.
“No matter how high a position one holds, all personnel of state organs should keep firmly in mind that our republic is the Peoples Republic of China,” Xi noted.
Praising Chinese people’s history, “the endeavour of the Chinese people has led to a tremendous transformation of the Chinese nation: it has stood up, grown rich, and is becoming strong! ”
“Today, the creativity of the Chinese people is being unleashed to an extent like never before, which has been enabling our country to develop rapidly and stride forward at the forefront of the world,” he said.
“Our pursuit of progress has never paused?, he said.
The Chinese people have been aware since ancient times that “we cannot sit idle and enjoy the fruits of others work and happiness can only be achieved through great endeavour,” he said.