Chris Bucjkey and Adam Wu, The Balance of Power Tilts to Xi in China, with Big Plans Afoot; A constitutional shift that is about much more than the presidency. New Yprl Times, Mar 12, 2018
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(a) "Under Deng [Xiaoping] in the 1980s, there was turmoil in succession, as two protégés were forced to resign following student demonstrations. Deng tried to ensure the success of his final choice, Mr Jiang {Zemin], by setting him up in China's three most powerful posts: Communist Party general secretary, chairman of the commission in charge of the military and the presidency, which Mr. Jiang took over in 1993.
"But Deng also wanted to ensure that Mr. Jiang did not stay on indefinitely. He started a succession cycle by also promoting Mr Jiang's younger heir-apparent, Hu Jintao.
"Under Mr Jiang and later Mr Hu, a new norm formed. The top leader had clear authority because he held all three main posts. But he had to hand them to a successor after about a decade.
(b) "That arrangement allowed two of the most stable transitions of power in China's modern history, from Mr. Jiang to Mr. Hu in 2002, and then Mr Hu to Mr Xi six years ago.
(c) "His [Xi's] action [to abolish term limit for presidency] leaves little doubt that Mr Xi is clearing the way to remain top leader for a long time to come, and without clear rivals. * * * The presidency has become increasingly prominent thanks to China's growing global stature. At home, Mr Xi usually speaks as party leader; abroad, he appears as president, who is the formal head of state. Mr Xi relishes the prestige of state visits to the White House or Buckingham Palace, which might be awkward if he were not president. * * * But Mr. Xi has not specified how many terms he plans on. Perhaps Mr Xi himself does not have a firm idea yet. Or perhaps he figures he can enhance his power even further by keeping everyone else guessing.