There are lots of other elections happening globally. And the 20th national congress of the communist party of China wrapped up last week.
After many speculations, the party’s Politburo Standing Committee granted current Chinese president Xi Jinping an unprecedented third term, breaking with tradition by not stepping down after a decade in power.
Xi says the 20th national congress of the communist party of China is a meeting of great importance. “It takes place at a critical time as the entire party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups embark on a new journey in China into a modern socialistic country in al respect and advance towards the second centennial goal,” Xi says at the opening of the Congress
Xi jinping, president of China
“the 20th national congress of the communist party of China is a meeting of great importance. It takes place at a critical time as the entire party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups embark on a new journey in China into a modern socialistic country in al respect and advance towards the second centennial goal.”))
There is little to no Chinese media coverage of this constitutional change that could allow xi to remain in power for life.Experts have criticized the closed-door nature of the election and how it affects Chinese citizens. Nearly 600,000 WeChat app accounts were allegedly blocked in an the effort to scrub the unusual succession from public conversation…
One student at UNC asked to be interviewed anonymously, fearing retaliation. “Not everyone came from a place of democracy and free speech. A lot of time when you are reprimanding the people who are not standing up for themselves enough. Just keep in mind of their background, and be aware of the fact that you are currently in an in an ivory tower,” the student says.
This election happens only every five years and gets lots of attention not only in China, but also echoes internationally.Chinese students on more than a hundred college campuses around the globe joined forces to protest through posters and handwritten notes.
Protesters, like this other UNC student, say they will continue to protest and raise awareness in ways that could reverberate back home. “I believe the louder you speak up for yourself, the more power you can get for yourself.”