What do we know about the Chinese political system?
While India is a multi-party [[democracy::A system where the government is chosen by the people through elections.]], China has a one-party rule. The country has been under the control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) since 1949. It was in 1949 that CCP defeated its rival party in a [[civil war::A war between groups of people in the same country.]].
All three wings of the Chinese government (the [[executive::Part of the government that is responsible for putting laws into effect.]], [[legislature::Part of the government that can make and change laws in a country.]], and judiciary) report to the highest ruling body of the CCP, the Politburo.
Who is Mr. Xi Jinping?
Mr. Xi Jinping has been the President of China since 2013. Since his father was also an important CCP official, he grew up among the political [[elites::A small number of people in a society, etc. who are influential and powerful due to their wealth or social status.]] of Beijing.
He was in college when he joined the CCP in 1974. He became the acting [[Governor::Someone who leads an area in a country like a state.]] of the Fujian province in 1999.
By 2007, he was appointed as one of the nine members of the Politburo. Recently, he was approved for his third term as the President of China.
What is unique about Mr. Xi Jinping’s Presidency?
Earlier, a leader could be President for two terms only. Each term of the President lasts for five years. In 2018, Mr. Xi removed this [[restriction::A law or rule that limits what one can do or what can happen.]]. Thus, after his recent appointment, he has become the first Chinese leader to be President for three terms.
However, his real [[authority::Refers to the power to give orders to people.]] comes from being General Secretary of the CCP and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC).
As he enters his third term, China faces many challenges, such as a falling birth rate, protests against the Zero-Covid policy, [[economic slowdown::It is a situation when there is a significant and long-lasting decline in economic activity. Economic activities are the ways through which a country earns money.]], and growing [[tensions::The state of anger and fear between two or more groups who don't get along with each other.]] between China and the USA.
Let’s wait and see how he deals with these issues!
Quick Revision
China – Ruled by one party, the CCP, since 1949.
Xi Jinping – President since 2013, long-time CCP member.
Third Term – Removed two-term limit in 2018.
Power – Controls party, government, and military.
Issues – Faces economic, social, and global tensions.
