China to get new government under Xi Jinping today

Beijing : After a landmark decision of scrapping two-terms, China is all set to get a new government under Xi Jinping, who will become China’s first leader for life since Chairman Mao Zedong.

All top government post will be filled by the new officials except Premier Li Keqiang.

It will be interesting to see who will be taking over the vice president's post as the two-term limit has been removed for the Vice President too.

While the amendment empowered 64-year-old Xi to remain in power for life, his power base is expected to be further reinforced by his close associate Wang Qishan who carried out the dreaded anti-corruption campaign in the last five years in which over one-and-a-half million people including over 100 ministerial-level officials were punished.

Wang is due to quit as he has crossed 68 years of age, the limit for all top Chinese officials to retire.

But he is widely expected to become vice president as he was given top billing by the official media during the current annual parliament session coverage.

From India’s perspective of the new line-up of officials, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is widely expected to be elevated as state councillor which makes him the top diplomat of the country.

The elevation will entail him to become China’s special representative for India-China boundary talks. The post is currently held by Yang Jiechi who has been elevated to the politburo, the top policy body of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC).

(With inputs from Agencies)