It's Official: China Repeals Term Limits, Allowing Xi To Stay In Power Forever | Zero Hedge
Description: "...even though this has been talked about for a few years, it still feels like one man’s Pearl Harbor attack on the whole country."

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Just when you think you've seen it all, this happens...

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American exceptionalism.

# It's Official: China Repeals Term Limits, Allowing Xi To Stay In Power Forever

As expected (and predicted, and propagandized), China's National People's Congress overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment to eliminate presidential term limits, paving the way for President Xi Jinping to stay in power after his second term ends in 2023.

The vote was as follows, per the AFP's Joanna Chiu: 2958 in favor, 2 against, 3 abstentions, 1 invalid vote.

As we noted previously, Sunday’s move will make Mr. Xi much more powerful than he already was, and will "dampen any remnants of resistance to his rule", said Zhang Baohui, professor of international affairs at Lingnan University in Hong Kong.

"Once people know he will serve for who knows how long, it will strengthen his power and motivate everybody to bandwagon with him," said Mr. Zhang. "Any rival will think he will be almighty."

In other words, "Dear Leader" has returned.

* * *

This historic shift was predicted by many since last fall, when Xi refused to appoint a successor as his power would begin to wane in a year or two as he entered what would've been a lame duck period for his presidency - the second half of his second term.

> At the same party congress, Mr. Xi conspicuously broke with precedent by choosing not to name a pair of much younger officials to the Politburo’s ruling inner circle, the seven-member standing committee, to serve as his heirs-in-waiting. Instead, Mr. Xi chose men — no women — who were closer to his own age or older.

> Mr. Xi’s strongman style has been compared to that of the Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin. But even Mr. Putin, who has amassed considerable personal power, did not try to erase his country’s constitutional limit on serving more than two consecutive terms as president as he approached that limit in 2008.

> Instead, he arranged for a close adviser with limited personal influence, Dmitri A. Medvedev, to serve as president for a single term while Mr. Putin held the post of prime minister. Mr. Putin then returned to the presidency in 2012, and is running this year for re-election to another term.

> Mr. Xi may now have even greater power, and the question will be how he chooses to use it.

> "Xi Jinping is susceptible to making big mistakes because there are now almost no checks or balances," said Willy Lam, an adjunct professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong who is the author of a biography of Mr. Xi in 2015. "Essentially, he has become emperor for life."

In another Xi-approved break with tradition, Wang Qishan, a close ally of the president's who helped carry out Xi's campaign against corruption and disloyalty in the party, appears set to return to power as vice president. Wang, 69, stepped down from a party position last year because of his age.

In kneejerk response, some China commentators had rather harsh words for the dramatic change, with WSJ commentator Li Yuan noting that:

> "even though this has been talked about for a few years, it still feels like one man’s Pearl Harbor attack on the whole country."

And as Axios' Bill Bishop writes, rather ominously,

> Xi is working to obliterate any boundaries between party and state and to reinsert the Communist Party of China (CPC) into all aspects of China's economy and society - all while ensuring he's the unchallenged embodiment of the CPC. The end result will be Xi's complete dominion over all parts of Chinese government and society.

However, GoldMoney's Alasdair Macleod has a slightly different view of this move:

> The days when China was the cheapest cost-base for labour in manufacturing are over. Manufacturing for export markets is being increasingly mechanised, lowering unit costs and releasing labour for future expansion in other higher-value industries. The Communist party’s plans include the upgrading of infrastructure and the transition of the economy towards serving the growing middle classes.

> Together with proposals to extend her own industrial revolution into the wider Asian landmass, the full transition will probably take up to twenty years.

> This is the reason, according to the better-informed China experts, that the National Party Congress currently being held is doing away with the limit on the duration of Xi’s presidency, so that he can complete the plans of which he is the principal architect.

> It is not, as reported in Western media, only the glory for Xi of being a dictator for life.

> This year’s NPC, in granting Xi the facility to oversee his plans, fully endorses them and their progress. The move away from depending on cheap exports to America and elsewhere is likely to gain momentum, reducing the relative importance of Trump’s tariffs. Instead, China is creating what amounts to a large free trade area throughout Asia with her partners in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Why should you care about China's seemingly totalitarian shift? Mike Krieger concludes poignantly:

> The reason is because a major shift in the polices of the second largest economy in the world, populated with over a billion people and run by leadership intent on establishing a far more dominant position on the world scale militarily and politically, will affect everyone.

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## Comments

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Troy Ounce Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:38 Permalink

Must be terrible to be always right.

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Four Star Troy Ounce Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:43 Permalink

The history of China since 1600 BC:

http://thesoundingline.com/map-day-history-china-every-year/

In reply to Must be terrible to be… by Troy Ounce

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LargeHardonCollider Four Star Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:52 Permalink

Xi eeesh! Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

In reply to The history of China since… by Four Star

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directaction LargeHardonCollider Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:58 Permalink

Excellent news. I like this guy. He's competent, compassionate and patriotic.

We could use a few more like that in the USA and Europe, too.

In reply to Xi eeesh! Absolute power… by LargeHardonCollider

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auricle directaction Sun, 03/11/2018 - 12:06 Permalink

China can accomplish its goals 'with' term limits. Anyone who thinks one person is responsible for a nations success or failure is delusional. The money interests in China want to consolidate power. They need the same governing body to accomplish this.

In reply to Excellent news. I like this… by directaction

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oddjob auricle Sun, 03/11/2018 - 12:17 Permalink

The Federal Reserve has been impoverishing citizens for over a 100 years. Time for change there.

In reply to China can accomplish its… by auricle

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Luc X. Ifer oddjob Sun, 03/11/2018 - 12:26 Permalink

Welcome to the era of the Neo Empire(s). The 1st Soviet was the 1st and USSA the 2nd. China is announcing itself officially as the 3rd. History tells us that empires always collide.

In reply to The Federal Reserve has been… by oddjob

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AnAnonymouses Luc X. Ifer Sun, 03/11/2018 - 13:18 Permalink

Chinaman love make pie!

In reply to Welcome to the era of the… by Luc X. Ifer

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TBT or not TBT AnAnonymouses Sun, 03/11/2018 - 13:43 Permalink

Whoever titled this article...I mean, have they even seen Pearl Harbor? Who's Ben Affleck in this metaphor?

In reply to Chinaman love make pie! by AnAnonymouses

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just the tip TBT or not TBT Sun, 03/11/2018 - 16:25 Permalink

you are confusing reality with a motion picture.

pearl harbor = reality

motion picture = two guys a girl and a japanese attack

In reply to Whoever titled this article… by TBT or not TBT

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Buckaroo Banzai just the tip Sun, 03/11/2018 - 17:09 Permalink

The most interesting insight I read about this rather dramatic turn of events in Chinese politics was that Xi probably argued to the politburo that very dangerous times lie ahead for the foreseeable future, both domestically and internationally, and consequently the wise thing to do would be to maintain continuity of leadership until the storms had passed.

Either Xi is correct, or he is very persuasive, or both. Only time will tell.

In reply to you are confusing reality… by just the tip

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vato poco Buckaroo Banzai Sun, 03/11/2018 - 17:20 Permalink

OTOH, xi took the top job in ... 2013, was it?

and I distinctly remember reading articles predicting 'xi will not step down' as early as 2014. commies gonna commie; emperors gonna emperor. I tend to think xi's "times too tricky for me to step down!" argument is less about truth and more about 'what bullshit will they fall for? I know! it's china! I'll use xenophobia! that always works!'

In reply to The most interesting insight… by Buckaroo Banzai

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veritas semper… oddjob Sun, 03/11/2018 - 15:04 Permalink

Great comment.

Why don't we change something and have term limits for the Federal Reserve? At least some diversity?

How about call it a quits as they held the real power for so long? Cause we did not have term limits in America since 1913.

In reply to The Federal Reserve has been… by oddjob

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Kurpak directaction Sun, 03/11/2018 - 19:20 Permalink

Uh... red communist leader turned emperor in 2018 is good news in what deranged universe? Jesus H. I need a drink

In reply to Excellent news. I like this… by directaction

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Déjà view LargeHardonCollider Sun, 03/11/2018 - 12:00 Permalink

Absolutely Xirious...

In reply to Xi eeesh! Absolute power… by LargeHardonCollider

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thinkmoretalkless LargeHardonCollider Sun, 03/11/2018 - 14:44 Permalink

In power forever...so this means he made it illegal for him to die...quite a trick. I suppose he can file suit from Hell.

In reply to Xi eeesh! Absolute power… by LargeHardonCollider

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DosZap LargeHardonCollider Sun, 03/11/2018 - 18:41 Permalink

Newsflash,Xi forever could be week or a day.

No one is guaranteed their next heartbeat.

In reply to Xi eeesh! Absolute power… by LargeHardonCollider

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Caloot Troy Ounce Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:43 Permalink

Yea until you realise you paid for a nail, when you really needed a screw, and all you have is a hammer.

In reply to Must be terrible to be… by Troy Ounce

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css1971 Troy Ounce Sun, 03/11/2018 - 12:52 Permalink

When you can't vote people out of power, you have to kill them. Watch for things starting to become politically violent in China.

The elites repeatedly forget that the rules exist for their health, not that of "the people".

In reply to Must be terrible to be… by Troy Ounce

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just the tip css1971 Sun, 03/11/2018 - 16:27 Permalink

so. the people here would be Ravoy Finicum.

In reply to When you can't vote people… by css1971

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kowalli Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:38 Permalink

dragon is dead, long life new dragon

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shimmy Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:40 Permalink

Another brilliant example of humans never learning from the past. The species is so damn dumb. Amazing it's gotten this far.

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boattrash shimmy Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:44 Permalink

Study Roman History, while they didn't officially have term limits, their reign often was measured in days, months, and occasionally years. We, as a nation/society, could still benefit from their model.

I think it's called "accountability".

In reply to Another brilliant example of… by shimmy

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rwe2late Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:41 Permalink

So,

How many terms will Merkel hold power?

Does the Saudi King have a life-long tenure?

Maybe we think that's not such a good idea.
However, who are we to be telling the Chinese (or others) what they should do politically?
Next, "we" will be (already are) interfering in their internal politics.

But should the Chinese emulate what they see as "democracy" in the USA?
Is the rule through two (Blue-Red) wings of a self-serving Oligarchy party
the best political alternative we can offer?

elections? The oligarchy's vetted candidates for
who can best dupe the mass-ass into believing he/she is the least worst candidate.
Best chosen during never-ending campaigning
at 4-year intervals by mass popularity based on the dumbest of lies,
the dumbest of reasons, and the dumbest of divisive prejudices.

Maybe what we should do is stop the bashing of other countries long enough
to offer something better by first "fixing" the USA.

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veritas semper… rwe2late Sun, 03/11/2018 - 15:10 Permalink

Well said. Since when everything is America's business?

China has been there for > 5000 years. And most of their history ,they had an Emperor .

Deal with it.

And ,how about America makes some real change here at home ,like you said.

Let's start with the Federal Reserve ,in power since 1913.(cause they are the ones calling the shots or is it shorts)

In reply to So,… by rwe2late

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Davidduke2000 Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:41 Permalink

Why the us is triggered if the Chinese want their leader to be on for few years?? the yank's presidential election cost at least $2.5 billion in buying votes which is very far from a Canadian democracy that cost about $250,000

the us congress election cost $1 trillion, this is vote buying of the highest order, and all this is to manage 325 million people, how much would cost the us in election if they had 1.4 billion people??

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U4 eee aaa Davidduke2000 Sun, 03/11/2018 - 12:11 Permalink

because as Twain said, "politicians are like diapers. They should be changed often and for the same reasons."

Time in political office always creates deep ruts of corruption

In reply to Why the us is triggered if… by Davidduke2000

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veritas semper… U4 eee aaa Sun, 03/11/2018 - 15:11 Permalink

Well ,no . Because in America , the new diapers come full of sh*t from the beginning.

In reply to because as Twain said, … by U4 eee aaa

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Offthebeach Davidduke2000 Sun, 03/11/2018 - 12:33 Permalink

Pres elections are underspent.

US spends more, every year, on greeting/Christmas cards than the once per 4 year executive election.( 3+ billion, every year vs 2.6 billion once every 4)

2016 Congressional $4 billion. Roughly $7,5 per member, per election. Or, $15 per citizen per election.

In reply to Why the us is triggered if… by Davidduke2000

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silverer Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:43 Permalink

Keep in mind what happened to the vote in Crimea where they voted to rejoin Russia. The west was invited in by Russia to observe the vote, and the west declined. Then the west rejected the result. I'm wondering what the official comment of the EU and US will be on the Chinese vote?

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abgary1 silverer Sun, 03/11/2018 - 16:37 Permalink

Delete.

In reply to Keep in mind what happened… by silverer

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Juggernaut x2 Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:44 Permalink

This guy would last one day if the US defaulted on its Treasuries

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Ring_Of_Fire Juggernaut x2 Sun, 03/11/2018 - 12:08 Permalink

Trump is itching to default and declare bankruptcy..

In reply to This guy would last one day… by Juggernaut x2

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veritas semper… Ring_Of_Fire Sun, 03/11/2018 - 15:18 Permalink

JUSA defaulted in 1970 .

All this paper fiat is not money. You can not default on paper ,after you defaulted on GOLD(real money) ,even if GOLD covered only 12% of the $.

What we have here is a Potemkin village ,presented as the real thing. And the wind ,from the East is blowing the cartoon village.

In reply to Trump is itching to default… by Ring_Of_Fire

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monk27 Juggernaut x2 Sun, 03/11/2018 - 16:26 Permalink

The very first victims of such a default would be our very own pension funds. Be VERY careful what you wish for...

In reply to This guy would last one day… by Juggernaut x2

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Kagemusho Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:46 Permalink

All while China's debt burden expands exponentially, partly due to 'One Belt/One Road' projects. While the US engages in military imperial over-reach, China engages in commercial imperial (and eventually, military) over-reach.

When the global economic bubble pops, those Chinese workers unemployed courtesy of automation will have a lot of time on their hands to revolt. Xi thinks consolidating power will blunt that. He's kept the lid on so far, but that only means the pressure has had more time to build.

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veritas semper… Kagemusho Sun, 03/11/2018 - 15:21 Permalink

China 's debt is internal.

And they have 30,000-35,000 tons of GOLD.

America has mostly external debt and in terms of GOLD ,well ,let's ask Mnuchin,he knows.

Who has the GOLD ,makes the rules.(ancient wisdom)

In reply to All while China's debt… by Kagemusho

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3-fingered_chemist Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:46 Permalink

To me this suggests that all is not well in China. They are preparing for a populace uprising, IMO.

China is really not even the lowest wage bidder anymore. That spells doom for a population of 1.4 billion that have been riding the high tide for awhile.

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veritas semper… 3-fingered_chemist Sun, 03/11/2018 - 15:25 Permalink

On the contrary.

To me it suggest that they may prepare for a possible war with US(you do not change the generals during a war). It does not necessarily mean hot war , but let's not forget that on 3/26 ,China launches the petro-yuan backed b GOLD,bitchezzz!

Those social collapse is way more likely in America.

In reply to To me this suggests that all… by 3-fingered_chemist

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Pernicious Gol… Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:46 Permalink

Running the country is at a critical juncture, and only he can do it. What a novel situation.

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zeroboris Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:47 Permalink

It's internal affairs of China.

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Herdee Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:49 Permalink

El Presidente of China. Was he installed as a military dictator by the CIA (ha,ha)

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FIAT CON Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:50 Permalink

Is this not asking for trouble????

You would think people would not be this stupid.

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U4 eee aaa FIAT CON Sun, 03/11/2018 - 12:13 Permalink

Apparently, there are riots daily there. Their media is just better at lying about it

In reply to Is this not asking for… by FIAT CON

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DillyDilly Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:52 Permalink

Dicktater for RIFE!

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6e/96/bc/6e96bc8bf56f47eaeffe44dc08207e2…

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P.K.Snosage Sun, 03/11/2018 - 11:57 Permalink

Great man, great man.

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cheech_wizard Sun, 03/11/2018 - 12:00 Permalink

Meet the new emperor, same as the old emperor.

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BritBob Sun, 03/11/2018 - 12:00 Permalink

Another fairy story -

China – Argentina – the Falklands

In tune with President Macri's words, Xi Jinping thanked Argentina "the support they have given us for our claim of a single China as we support theirs for the Falkland Islands." (Telam 17 May 2017). Oh dear...

How would a map of the world look today if all of the territory lost and gained over the past 180 years reverted to its 19th century status? Quite a ridiculous proposal.

Falklands – Acquisitive Prescription(1 pg): https://www.academia.edu/35552595/Falklands_-Acquisitive_Prescription

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MoralsAreEssential Sun, 03/11/2018 - 12:04 Permalink

The emerging supposedly multipolar world with China uncontested dominance scheduled for 2032 may be another holograph for Plebs since at present Rothschilds are in the banking system of China unlike Russia whose banking system is today run by their own. This new Emperorship of Xi reinforcing ancient Chinese values and rejecting Western values encroachment into their society would be positive IMHO IF not for the blatant totalitarian control talked about in another article on ZH recently. Using Tech to Behavior Modify each Individual into government-only sanctioned behaviors is chilling to Free Will of Human Beings. It's the possible use of AI to completely control Humans and their bodies while imprisoning their Free Will and Souls. This is WORSE than the control now enforced upon all of us. If they can do this in China, it will simply change the locus for control from the West to the East with the same people remaining in charge and enslaving all of us.

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James TraffiCan't Sun, 03/11/2018 - 12:13 Permalink

What America plans in 5 minutes, China plans in 100 years.

Beam me up!

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