Term limit for China's chairman was cancelled

On Sunday, amendment to scrap a two-term limit on the office of the chairmen of China was approved along with 20 other changes. 

Of the nearly 3,000 delegates to the congress, 2,958 voted in favor.

The decision to scrap a two-term limit to the chairman's term in office was divulged to the public only in late February, but the Communist Party has quickly been working on a narrative that the decision was in the works for months and the changes have widespread public approval.

Communist Party leaders argue changes to Article 79 of the constitution are necessary because other key positions Xi holds as party chairman and head of its Central Military Commission have no term limits. By doing away with the term limits, the argument goes, changes will ensure China maintains continuous strong leadership at a time when crucial reforms are on the horizon and the rising superpower is at a critical stage in its economic development.

Speaking after the amendments were passed, NPC official Shen Chunyao said the decision to scrap term limits has a broad consensus nationwide.