BEIJING (AP) — Xi Jinping has been reappointed as China’s president with no limit on the number of terms he can serve.
The ceremonial National People’s Congress voted unanimously for Xi’s second five-year term as president. Wang Qishan, a Xi ally, was appointed vice president.
The 64-year-old Xi is considered the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong and last Sunday was given the right to continue in office indefinitely after the legislature abolished term limits for the president and vice president.
Chinese officials defended the move saying it would bring the presidency in-line with Xi’s other two main positons of head of the ruling Communist Party and commander of the armed forces.
Critics say the move will likely lead to increased political repression and infighting among party factions.