BEIJING -- The rapid speed at which Chinese President Xi Jinping rushed through a constitutional amendment abolishing limits on his time in office gave little time for the steep opposition from some quarters in the Communist Party to block the measure.
The National People's Congress on Sunday voted overwhelmingly to scrap a provision in the constitution limiting the president to two consecutive five-year terms, paving the way for Xi to retain his post after his second term ends in 2023. The president could remain in power for as long as he wishes, provided his hold on the party remains solid.
