Xi Jinping named in Chinese constitution, elevated to status of Mao, Deng

Xi and Li took charge in 2012 and set to continue till 2022.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) on Tuesday endorsed a second five-year term for President Xi Jinping. Further it was decided to amended its constitution to add his name and ideology, elevating him on a par with party founder Mao Zedong and his successor Deng Xiaoping.

Former leaders Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin also had their own ideologies incorporated in the constitution. But unlike Mao and Deng, their names were not included.

Xi's concept of "socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era" was added to the constitution at the end of the CPC's week-long Congress.

The amendment to the constitution was approved, making 64-year-old Mr. Xi's ideology as a new component of the party's guide for action, according to a resolution of the 19th CPC National Congress.

The conference, attended by over 2,350 delegates, ended at the Great Hall of the People, the seat of power of China's Communist leadership.

Xi and Premier Li Keqiang (62), ranked number one and two in the CPC hierarchy, would continue based on two five-year tenure convention for top leaders. Five new members will be elected to the seven-member Standing Committee of the party.

Xi and Li took charge in 2012 and set to continue till 2022.

The new standing committee will be unveiled for China and the world on Wednesday when they would formally appear in front of the media in a live telecast.

Reports in the Hong Kong media said that Xi may not have his way at the congress, as his closest aide Wang Qishan, who led the massive anti-corruption campaign in which Xi's opponents were allegedly crushed, is likely to step down from the powerful standing committee, belying speculation that he would be retained by overriding the 68-year retirement rule.

Also the congress may keep the number of the standing committee members to seven, contrary to reported preference of Mr. Xi to reduce its number to five.

The new committee may retain balance of power among various factions within the party though Xi may still remain powerful with the induction of some of his close associates into it, the reports said.

As China enters a new era, the CPC must write a new chapter, of 21st century Marxism with a broader vision to achieve the goals set at the milestone congress, Chen Shuguang, a professor with the Party School of the CPC Central Committee told state-run Xinhua news agency.

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