China’s Communist Party plans to amend its constitution next month at its 20th national convention, a move analysts believe could empower the president Xi JinpingAuthority and position within the party.
What happened: That Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party discussed a draft amendment to the party’s constitution at a meeting chaired by Xi, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Friday. However, it did not specify what changes are being considered.
Xi is widely expected to win an unprecedented third five-year term at the helm during the 20th National Congress, which begins Oct. 16. This would further cement his status as China’s most powerful leader ever since Mao Zedongthe founder of the People’s Republic.
The party’s charter was last amended in 2017 to add “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.”
In the new constitutional amendment, there is a possibility that the CCP will introduce an amendment that shortens the ideology to “Xi Jinping Thought” and raises its status to “Mao Zedong Thought.” Reuters Reports citing political observers.
The report noted that another possible change would be to enshrine the “Two Establishments” — a new phrase meaning the CCP establishes the President as its “core” and his ideas as guiding principles — this would increase the power of Further strengthen Xi in the party.
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