The election of Chinese President Xi Jinping's trusted lieutenant Wang Qishan as vice president with life-long tenure could be problematic for the ruling Communist Party as he could transform a largely ceremonial position into a real seat of power, experts said. Wang, who retired as the member of the ruling Communist Party of China's (CPC) powerful seven-member Standing Committee in October, is the first official to continue in power despite crossing the retirement age. However, Xi broke number of conventions followed by the party and leaders since he took over. Wang's elevation on Saturday is regarded as yet another step to change the rules followed by CPC as now he would continue in power despite crossing the retirement age. Like Xi, Wang will also not have any tenure as China's rubber-stamp parliament National People's Congress (NPC) on March 11 amended the constitution removing the two-term limit for the president and vice President.

Source: dna March 17, 2018 15:33 UTC