Opening Ceremony of the Communist Party of China Congress

In China, the closing session of the Communist Party Congress began on Saturday. About 2,300 delegates met for a week at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Finally, they are set to vote on another term for President Xi Jinping as the party’s general secretary. The result will be announced on Sunday. The 69-year-old’s re-election for a historic third term is certain.

Delegates elect approximately 200 members of the Central Committee, a type of party parliament. This body, in turn, appoints the 25-member Politburo and the powerful Standing Committee – the highest level of leadership – as well as the Secretary-General.

In 2018, Xi abolished the two-year limit on presidential terms. So experts assume that the 69-year-old will secure a third term as head of state and party, cementing his position as China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.

The Chinese Communist Party holds its party congress only every five years. The party congress is being held behind closed doors and is under strict precautionary measures due to China’s no-coronavirus policy.