Most of the 2,964 delegates of the ruling National People’s Congress (NPC) voted in favour of removing a restriction that had limited the presidency to two consecutive five-year terms, the CNN reports. Two delegates voted against the amendment while three abstained.
The limit was created to prevent another decades-long and bloody rule like that of former Chinese dictator Mao Zedong. With the endorsement by the lawmakers, President Xi can potentially stay in indefinitely.
The communist party first announced the proposals on February 25. While supporters welcomed the move arguing that it would help China consolidate its grip on world affairs, some critics say the move is not only against the public interest but also makes Xi politically vulnerable in the long run, according to CNN.
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