Xi Jinping on Sunday secured a third five-year term as general secretary of China’s ruling Communist Party after being re-elected during the final day of the Communist Party Congress.
The 69-year-old leader, who took power in 2012, is expected by some to try to stay in power for life.
His predecessor left after 10 years.
His reelection makes him the most powerful leader in China since Chairman Mao.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his Chinese counterpart on Sunday, saying he looked forward to further developing a “comprehensive partnership” between their two countries.
Mr. Putin told Xi that the results of the Party Congress fully confirm his high political authority, as well as the unity of the party he leads, according to the Kremlin’s website.
Since 2012, Xi had launched a ruthless campaign against corruption, which besides striking a chord with people helped him systematically weed out political opponents.
Meanwhile, Xi’s predecessor, Hu Jintao (79) was escorted off the stage under unclear circumstances.
The Congress in Beijing also approved an amendment to the constitution that Xi said: “sets out clear requirements for upholding and strengthening the party’s leadership”.
Another addition to the charter was a promise to “resolutely oppose and constrain” those who, in the party’s eyes, promote the independence of Taiwan, the self-governing island of 23 million that Beijing claims as its sovereign territory and threatens to take by force if Taipei ever formalizes the separation.
