OUR Xi Jinping Yesterday he officially began his third term in Chinese presidency. The most powerful leader of the People’s Republic in decades, he was unanimously re-elected as General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party in October 2022 and also extended his term as Chairman of the Central Military Commission. Yesterday, the party called on the people through the country’s parliament to support Xi in his new course, in which the country faces serious problems in an atmosphere of global alienation. Xi will be called upon to deal with rising tensions with the US, exacerbated by the discovery of a Chinese balloon that US officials have called a “spy” in the country’s airspace. In addition, he will have to manage the unstable global economic situation. He was particularly friendly to foreign capital, as he encouraged foreign businessmen on several occasions to invest in the country on the condition that they respect “party priorities”. However, in addition to this, he will also have to face a growing wave of domestic skepticism, which began with unprecedented demonstrations in the country against the government’s strategy to “zero out” coronavirus cases.

Chinese Communist Party number two Li Qiang is expected to be appointed as prime minister today. Li, although he has not yet held any high-ranking position, will succeed outgoing Prime Minister Li Keqiang in the country’s second most important post in what is expected to be a very difficult tenure as he will be called upon to take over the restart of China’s economy after successive lockdowns imposed by the country as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus and affecting its income.

in key positions

Chinese Communist Party number two Li Qiang is expected to be appointed as prime minister today.

Ding Zhuejiang is expected to be his deputy and the most important deputy in the Chinese political system. As a technocrat whose actions have been discreet, he will be called upon to take over operational, “daily” economic programs.

Zhao Leji, “No. 3” of the CCP, is expected to be appointed head of the Legislative Assembly. Although he is not as famous, his duties have been heavy, as in past years he chaired the Party Discipline Commission and spearheaded President Xi’s efforts to combat corruption and disobedience from members of the government.

Party No. 4 Wang Huning, who has held the position for three successive leaders and is considered the “designer” of Chinese ideology, will be appointed head of the President’s Council of Political Advisors, as he and his team inspired the president’s speeches and advised many of their policy decisions. For many, his re-election also means maintaining a tough “anti-Western” stance on China’s part.