China: Xi Jinping grabs unprecedented 3rd term as President of the country

Beijing: Xi Jinping was on Friday unanimously appointed as Chinese President for the third time, making him the country's longest-serving leader since founding father Mao Zedong. 

A large number of delegates at the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing voted on Xi's appointment as president and head of the military for another five years. However, the process was a formality in China's rubber-stamp parliament after Xi, 69, was confirmed as chief of the ruling Communist Party at a twice-a-decade congress in October.

All 2,952 NPC delegates cast a ballot approving a new mandate for Xi. Previously, the NPC had ditched term limits, clearing the way for Xi to potentially rule for life.

Delegates also voted to install Vice Premier Han Zheng as China's vice president, a largely ceremonial position.(with Agency inputs)

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