Chinese armed forces back leader

China’s vast military becomes first state institution to throw its support behind a constitutional amendment that would extend President Xi's tenure

Even though the vote is a foregone conclusion, the Communist Party’s legislature is yet to vote on the issue that would see it abandon collective leadership in favour of one-man rule.

Notably, the armed forces, determined to head off any dissent from potential political rivals, have already pledged “unwavering support” for the change.

The official military newspaper, People's Liberation Army Daily, reported today: 

“Officers and soldiers of the entire military and the armed police force have expressed their firm backing for the proposal to amend the constitution.”

Beijing argues that the abolition of term limits would provide the stability China needs to fast-track the country into a great world power by the middle of the century.

However, Steve Tsang, a political scientist and historian at SOAS, part of the University of London, said the lack of opposition was disturbing. He said further:
“China’s future so much depends on the Communist Party getting it right, and with the policy debate reduced, the risks of the party getting it wrong just get so much higher.”