China’s President Xi, up for a third term, is calling for an “intensive” renewal of the state and the party

BEIJING, Feb 28 (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping envisions “intensive” and “far-reaching” reorganization of state and Communist Party units, with part of the plan to be presented to parliament’s annual meeting, state media said on Tuesday.

The renewed call for ambitious institutional reforms follows Xi’s seizure of an unprecedented third term at a major party congress last October, where he sealed his place as China’s most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong.

The meeting of the largely rubber-stamped parliament opens in the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing on Sunday, where Xi is widely expected to secure his third five-year term as president.

The call for institutional reforms also comes after China’s economy grew 3% last year – one of the weakest rates in nearly half a century – weakened by strict COVID restrictions championed by Xi that were lifted in December.

During a major three-day meeting of the party’s Central Committee that ended on Tuesday, Xi said part of the reform plan related to state institutions will be presented to parliament, the official Xinhua news agency said.

At the October congress, the party made clear the need for institutional reforms, including reforms of the financial system, Xi said.

The overall reform plan will be “targeted, intensive and far-reaching, and touch deep-rooted interests,” Xi was quoted as saying in a speech to the Central Committee.

He did not say when the reform plans for the party units will be submitted for consideration. And Xinhua did not provide details of the changes.

“FIRE RING”

China’s “rejuvenation” must be led by Xi and the Central Committee as national governance is “modernized,” the Central Committee said in a communication, but it did not give details.

“It is necessary to implement a new development concept fully, accurately and comprehensively,” said the committee, the largest of the party’s top decision-making bodies.

The Central Committee also approved a proposed list of leadership candidates to be recommended in parliament.

Lawmakers are expected to approve the next line-up of top cabinet government posts to be led by a new prime minister for the next five years.

The new cabinet will be immediately put to the test as the economy, while showing signs of recovery, remains on shaky footing amid weak consumer demand and a moribund property sector.

China’s development continues to face triple pressures, including a demand contraction, supply shock and weakened expectations, the Central Committee said in its communication.

Last year, China’s urban employment fell for the first time in six decades, while per capita spending saw a rare decline.

Xinhua on Sunday praised Xi’s attention to the masses and their livelihoods.

“The leader of the people does not fail the people, and hundreds of millions of people love their leader!” the news agency declared in an article.

Reporting by Ryan Woo and Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Nick Macfie

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