Analysis | Change to Chinese presidency term limits could signal overhaul of role

Under the Chinese political system, true power lies with the general secretary, but Xi Jinping could be aiming to shift the dynamic

Reading Time:3 minutes

China's President Xi Jinping arrives for the third plenary session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

Published: 6:02am, 26 Feb 2018Updated: 5:44pm, 6 Mar 2018

The decision to remove the constitutional restriction on China’s presidential term limits suggests Chinese President Xi Jinping may want to turn what is essentially a ceremonial position into a role carrying much greater political heft, an observer familiar with party ideology says.

The party’s Central Committee on Sunday announced a plan to remove language from the charter saying the president and vice-president “shall serve no more than two consecutive terms”. The move is the strongest indication yet Xi plans to stay in power beyond the end of his second term as general secretary in 2022.

While most China experts have long expected he would find a way to remain in power, it is surprising the amendments have come so early in the second term.

Theoretically, Xi does not need to rely on the title. In Chinese politics, the role of president is largely ceremonial, with real power resting in the hands of the general secretary and the chairman of the Central Military Commission. Xi holds all three positions.

Deng Yuwen, former editor of the Study Times newspaper affiliated with the Central Party School, said the timing of the amendment suggested Xi planned to make the office more significant.