Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, and Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization). (E-mail: awanzamir@yahoo.com).      

Xi Jinping was unanimously elected president of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the PRC on Friday at the ongoing session of the 14th National People's Congress. He is also the Secretary-General of the Communist Party of China. By constitutional powers, he is the most powerful leader in the world. 

Born in 1953 in Fuping County, Shaanxi Province, entered the workforce in 1969, joined the CYLC in 1971, and joined the CPC in 1974.

He has served in four provinces during his government and Party career: Shaanxi, Hebei, Fujian, and Zhejiang. He has held Party positions in the CPC Fuzhou City Committee, and in 1990 he became president of the Party school in Fuzhou City. In 1999 he was elected vice-governor of Fujian province, then governor a year later. In 2002 he took up senior government and Party positions in Zhejiang Province.

He was an alternate member of the 15th CPC Central Committee and a member of the 16th CPC Central Committee. In 2007 he became a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo Bureau of the 17th CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the 17th CPC Central Committee Party Building Leading Small Group. He is also the President of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.

In 2008, he became Vice-President of the People's Republic of China. In 2010 he became Vice-Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission and Vice-Chairman, of the Central Military Commission of the PRC.

In 2012 he became General Secretary of the 18th CPC Central Committee a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the 18th CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission. In 2013 Xi was elected Chairman of the PRC Central Military Commission and President of China. In 2014 Xi became head of China's new national security commission.

In 2017 Xi became Head of the CPC Central Committee's Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development. He was also named as a delegate to the 19th CPC National Congress. As of 2017, Xi is also the General Secretary of the 19th CPC Central Committee a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the 19th CPC Central Committee, and Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission.

He is a strong personality and good character. He loves his people and always looking for an opportunity to serve the masses. He believes in total welfare for the masses and in return, enjoys the total trust of the people of China. He is a very popular leader and can be termed among the top most popular leaders in the history of the PRC – Chairman Mao, Deng Xiao Ping, and President Xi Jin Ping.

Looking at his last ten years as head of state, his performance was extraordinary and full of marvelous achievements. Chairman Mao focused on political reforms, Deng Xiao Ping introduced economic reforms, but, Chairman Mao led China to become the second-largest economy in the world and a major global power. His vision “Go Global” was very much successful and gained momentum. He successfully eradicated absolute poverty from China and transformed it into a moderately prosperous society. Under his great leadership, China fought against COVID-19 successfully. He introduced the Belt and Road Initiative of developments, which gained good recognition in the world, and already above 150 countries have joined this innovative model of cooperation, development, and economic activities. He introduced a unique approach to a shared future and addressed the issues concerning the whole of humankind. 

Under his visionary leadership, China has been playing a proactive role in the global economy and development. China has been contributing to regional and global peace and Security. The most recent achievement is bringing closer the typical two rivals – Iran and Saudi Arabia. China brought two rivals to the negotiating table and facilitated them to reach a peace deal. China also played a significant role in the Afghan issue, Palestine issue, Kashmir issue, and so on. 

China has shown unprecedented developments during the last four decades and set a milestone of mega achievements. It has become a role model for many developing nations in the world. Some of the nations are already following or inspired by the Chinese governance system and reforms. 

Unfortunately, Chinese achievements were not digested by some nations and they were jealous. They took it as a threat to their decade-long hegemony and supremacy. The US was a unique superpower after the disintegration of the former USSR and was enjoying a unipolar world for a couple of decades. The rise of China was felt under the Obama administration and he took few policy measures. But, these measures were not so harsh and invisible immediately. President Donald Trump. Was a person of special personality and unaware of diplomatic antiquates, he openly opposed the rise of China and sometimes used a language not matching his status. He used taxation as a tool to harm Chinese exports, imposed sanctions on a few Chinese companies, and banned the transfer of advanced technologies to China. He launched a full-flagged trade war against China. He also blacklisted Chinese firms and key personnel. He also launched a campaign against China blamed for the breakout of COVID-19. President Joe Bidden is a mature politician and served in various administrations since the late 1970s. He is well aware of diplomatic norms and language, but, he is the creation of the cold war era and his mentality is still in the cold war. He was part of the cold war and involved or part of American cold war policies, initiatives, and tricks under various administrations. After taking charge of the White House in 2020, he took all possible cold war initiatives against China and openly announced “Contain China, Counter China, Resist the rise of China”. He also ganged up on NATO and its allies against China. 

Currently, China is facing severe Challenges from Western World led by the US. They are trying to destabilize China, isolate China, weaken China, and damage China. They tried to destabilize Hong Kong, then destabilize Xinjiang's autonomous region, and then they are playing the Taiwan card. They are also trying to isolate China from its close friends and cutting off from other nations. A comprehensive media campaign is launched against China. Fake news, fabricated stories, and distorted narrative about China are propagated to harm China. 

Under the current geopolitical challenges, China needs a strong leader, a visionary, and a mature personality, and fortunately, President Xi possesses all of such characteristics and is fully capable of facing any severe challenges,. Chinese people trust him and depend on his capabilities. He is the right man to be reappointed as President of China for another term 2023-2028, and so on. 

It is believed that the reappointment of President Xi, will ensure the continuity of policies and the pace of developments in and around China. It will ensure peace and stability in the whole region, especially around China. It will also have a positive impact on geopolitics and the global economy. 

President Xi was trained and mentored by General Geng Biao (Late) at an early age. General Geng was a close friend of Chairman Mao and a senior veteran of the war of liberation. He was raised in various positions during his career up to vice-premier of China. He also sever as Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan from 1956-1958. President Xi learned a lot about Pakistan through his boss and mentor Gen. Geng. He also inherited love and affection for Pakistan from Gen. Geng.

China-Pakistan relations touched new heights under the great leadership of President Xi. Pakistan-China Economic Corridor (CPEC), is a flagship project under BRI and is in the most advanced stage of execution. Pakistan is the largest beneficiary of BRI. President Xi has a very special and caring attitude toward Pakistan.

His re-appointment is a blessing for the whole world, especially for Pakistan. It is expected during his next term, the relations between China and Pakistan will grow further and expand in all dimensions. Especially, the CPEC will be expanded, accelerated, and more economic activities will be generated. The traditional friendship between the two nations will be transformed into high quality and broader in scope. 

It is the month of March, “March toward Prosperity”, when we are celebrating National Day, it has doubled our enjoyment as President Xi has been re-elected during this month too. While the people of Pakistan celebrate National Day on the 23rd of March in a traditional high spirit will also celebrate the re-appoint of President Xi too.

Long live the traditional friendship between the two Iron Clads.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)