Xi Jinping Secures Third Term in China... Li Keqiang and Wang Yang Excluded from Top Leadership

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] Chinese President Xi Jinping has secured a third term by being included in the list of the next Central Committee members of the Chinese Communist Party.

According to local Chinese media on the 22nd, President Xi was included in the list of the 20th Central Committee members on the closing day of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party (Party Congress), effectively formalizing his third term. Former Presidents Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin, who were not included in the next Central Committee list, had stepped down from their positions, so being included in this list is interpreted as maintaining the top leadership position.

Li Keqiang, China's second-in-command and Premier, was excluded from the list and will step down from the top leadership. Premier Li is expected to fully retire after maintaining his position until March next year.

Wang Yang, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, who was strongly rumored to be Li's successor, was also not included in the Central Committee list. Li Qiang, Party Secretary of Shanghai, who was recently mentioned by major foreign media as the next Premier, was included.