'Emperor' Xi Jinping's Rule Turns Indefinite: How China's Presidency Has Evolved After Mao's Revolution

Beijing, Feb 26: Bringing China back to the days of one-man-cult rule, the Communist Party of China (CPC) lifted the two-term limit imposed on Presidents under the tenure of former premier Deng Xiaoping. The move allows Xi Jinping, the incumbent President, to rule beyond 2023 - when his second term is scheduled to end.

The limitless mandate accorded to Xi by the CPC drew ire on social media, with Hong Kong-based pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong tweeting, "This move, which would allow for a single individual to amass and accumulate political power, means that China would again have a dictator as her head of state – Xi Jinping."

Others on Weibo - China's version of Twitter - said President Xi has now turned into "Emperor Xi". "Wonder if Emperor Xi will make China the next North Korea," read one of the comments, referring to the dictatorial regime of Pyongyang, where the Jong-un family has been ruling since 1948.

To control flak, Beijing censored the comments on social media which were critical of the decision to do away with two-term limit. The state-run Global Times came up with an editorial which said the new amendment "does not mean a President can stay forever". However, the article did not explain why such assumption should not be made.

How China's Presidency Has Evolved After Mao's Revolution

China broke the imperial shackles in 1949, following an armed revolution by Mao Zedong - one of the prime communist ideologues, after Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin.

Mao subsequently took over as the military commander and China's first 'state chairman' - a formal title then accorded to the President.

Under Mao's rule, China took strides in terms of industrial and agricultural development. While he ruled the nation with an unmatched popularity till 1965, his cultural revolution between 1966-76 turned a section of the population against him - including the landlords, old party cadres and the intelligentsia.

Although Mao ruled till his death in 1976, the communist party had lost its goodwill among the masses.

Reforms under Deng Xiaoping to shed 'authoritarian' tag

Massive section of the Chinese diaspora across the world condemned the government back home for being authoritarian and suppressive. The tags raised major obstacles for Beijing which was planning to open up its market to increase the economic condition of its spiralling population.

A slew of reforms were introduced by then President Deng in 1982. On the economic front, the market was not only thrown open for the private players, but the entry of global players was also facilitated.

The major political reform was introduction of a two-term cap on presidents, which could prevent the rise of a single-leader devotion.

Jiang Zemin concentrates power again following Tiananmen Square protests

Deng's successor Jiang maintained the two-term norm, but was repulsive towards granting more space to those seeking political reforms.

Following the Tiananmen Square protests - which called for democracy in China - the communist regime decided to suppress those voices seeking more political reforms.

The economic prosperity in China at the time allowed Jiang to claim support from the masses while suppressing the call raised for democracy by thousands of agitating students in Beijing.

Despite his authoritarian tendency, Zemin respected the two-term norm laid down by his predecessor. In 2003, he relinquished the post to make way for his successor Hu Jintao.

Jintao, who ruled from 2003 to 2013 continued furthering the pro-market policies of his predecessor, while pitching for increase role of China in geopolitical affairs. During his tenure, the rift between Washington and Beijing widened.

Xi's Global Agenda

Under President Xi, China adopted a hawkish foreign policy, say analysts. The highlight of his tenure so far has been the expansionist approach of Beijing in the South China Sea, following the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative - including the revival of ancient Silk Route, which would connect China to Europe, and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which would link Beijing to Gwadar, the westernmost port of Balochistan.

Critics have raised apprehension over the road projects of President Xi, claiming that it would undermine the sovereignty of neighbouring nations.

China has shifted its focus on military modernisation under Xi. In the 2017 budget, China allotted the highest ever, $200 billion for the defence sector.

Apart from asserting China as arguably the most dominant global force, Xi has also presented himself as a champion of free trade - a cause which the US espoused before the ascent of Donald Trump.

Speaking at the World Economic Summit last year, Xi took an apparent swipe at Trump - who had then recently pulled out of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement - saying, "Pursuing protectionism is like locking oneself in a dark room."

Back at home, Xi continues to enjoy an unparalleled political strength, with absolute absence of rivals within his party. At 64, the President is probably eyeing to rule China way beyond 2023 - when his second term is scheduled to end.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 26, 2018 06:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).