BEIJING: China’s Communist Party announced Saturday that it agreed to amend its constitution, ahead of a keenly-watched congress, with speculation mounting that leader Xi Jinping’s name will be added to the document, enshrining his legacy.
The Central Committee said it had passed an amendment to the party’s constitution at the end of a plenary meeting held in advance of the main twice-a-decade congress, which opens Wednesday and is expected to see Xi tighten his grip on power.
“The document will be submitted to the upcoming 19th CPC National Congress for review,” it said in a statement released through the official state news agency, without giving further details.
The congress is expected to see Xi granted the customary second five-year term as general secretary of the Communist Party, thereby renewing his de facto mandate to serve as president of the world’s second-largest economy.
The official Xinhua news agency said last month that the constitution will be amended during the congress to “reflect the new governance concepts, thoughts and strategies” developed by the Central Committee since the last meeting five years ago.
Analysts speculate that Xi’s name could be added to the party’s constitution, elevating him into the exclusive pantheon of Chinese leaders.
That privilege has only been granted to Xi’s two most powerful predecessors, Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.
The Communist commandments currently features “Mao Zedong Thought” and “Deng Xiaoping Theory,” with the political philosophies or ideas of other leaders included without their names.
This weeks congress is hotly anticipated to herald a significant shake-up in the leadership ranks, with five out of seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee that rules over China set to be replaced.
Saturday’s statement from the Central Committee also endorsed the expulsion of Sun Zhengcai, the former Chongqing city head once considered a possible successor to Xi.
He was kicked out of the party in September after being ensnared in a wide ranging anti-corruption drive by Chinese leader that has toppled party officials, including potential rivals.
China Communist Party agrees to amend constitution at key conclave
China Communist Party agrees to amend constitution at key conclave
Indonesia’s first woman president awarded honorary doctorate by Princess Nourah University
- Megawati was recognized for her leadership and contributions to social, legal affairs
- She has received 10 other honorary degrees from Indonesian and foreign institutions
JAKARTA: Megawati Sukarnoputri, who served as Indonesia’s fifth president and was the country’s only female head of state to date, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, becoming the first foreign national to receive the title.
Megawati, the eldest daughter of Indonesia’s first President Sukarno and chairwoman of the country’s largest political party, the PDIP, served as president from 2001 to 2004.
The 79-year-old was awarded an honorary doctorate in organizational and legal affairs in Riyadh on Monday during a ceremony overseen by Princess Nourah University’s acting president, Dr. Fawzia bint Sulaiman Al-Amro.
“This recognition was given in appreciation of her efforts during her presidency, her significant contributions to social, organizational, and legal fields, and her role in strengthening institutional leadership in Indonesia,” the university said in a statement.
This is Megawati’s 11th honorary doctorate. She has received similar degrees from Indonesian and foreign universities, including the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 2003 and the Soka University of Japan in 2020.
She has also been awarded the title of honorary professor by several institutions, including by the Seoul Institute of the Arts in 2022.
“We gather at the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, a university that stands as a symbol of women’s progress in education, knowledge and public service … To see so many intelligent women, I feel very proud,” Megawati said in her acceptance speech.
“Women’s empowerment is not a threat to any values, culture or tradition. It is actually a condition for nations that believe in their future … A great nation is one that is able to harness all of its human potential. A strong nation is one that does not allow half of its social power to be left on the sidelines of history.”
Megawati is the longest-serving political leader in Indonesia. Indonesia’s first direct presidential elections took place during her presidency, consolidating the country’s transition to democracy after the downfall of its longtime dictator Suharto in 1998.
