BEIJING, CHINA, Mon. Oct. 24, 2022

A seven-member group representing the highest levels of Chinese political power was unveiled yesterday. The new Politburo Standing Committee will be led by President and Secretary General Xi Jinping and six other men known to be his close allies, for the next 5 years as the highest decision-making body in that country. Chinese political analysts have opined that the confirmation of the new Politburo is an indication that Xi has consolidated power to an extent not seen since the era of Mao.

This is the third term for which the 69-year-old has been elected to serve as the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, following the abolishment of the presidential two-term limit in 2018. Critics say this may lead to tyrannical rule, allowing him to govern indefinitely in China, with some even calling this move the return to the one-man rule in China.

During the declaration of the new standing committee, former president of China, Hu Jintao, 79, was forcibly removed from the ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Community Party. He was seated next to President Xi Jinping and escorted by two stewards. Initial reports claim that he was feeling unwell, and left the session for health reasons.

The move is being seen as choreographed, since the former president was removed shortly after journalists were allowed inside Beijing’s Great Hall of People.