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Xi Jinping on Track for Chinese Presidency
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping has been appointed vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, which oversees the two-million-strong People's Liberation Army, virtually confirming his position as the country's next leader. The Chinese Communist Party appointed Xi to the new position in a planning meeting, the state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday. The four-day session of the party's Central Committee, which opened on Friday, also saw the announcement of a five-year economic development plan that puts more focus on the distribution of wealth and welfare rather than on economic expansion. The Chinese government is now expected to bolster social benefits, aid for senior citizens, state medical programs and other subsidies. The position of vice chairman at the Central Military Commission is a stepping stone on the way to becoming president. Chinese President Hu Jintao was also appointed to the position in 1999, where he served for the next three years before being elected president. Xi will serve in the post until the next Communist Party leadership meeting in 2012, when he is expected to become the leader. Xi (57) is a "princeling," the son of party veteran Xi Zhongxun, who was an ally of Deng Xiaoping and helped to oversee the economic opening process in southern China. He also graduated from the prestigious Tsinghua University and has been recognized for self-restraint and professional ability. Posted by: Steve White 2010-10-19 |
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