PM Modi congratulates Chinese President on re-election

New Delhi [India], Mar 20 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Xi Jinping on his re-election as the President of China.

Prime Minister Modi made a phone call to the Chinese President and the two leaders agreed that as two major powers growing rapidly, bilateral relations between India and China are vital for the realisation of 21st Century as 'Asian Century'.

The two leaders also agreed to continue their close consultations on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

China's Parliament re-elected Xi Jinping as the country's president and also the chairman of Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China on Saturday, making way for his second term in the office.

It was announced at the ongoing session of the 13th National People's Congress, the national legislature of the People's Republic of China.

Earlier on March 11, the National People's Congress passed a constitutional amendment to remove any term limits enabling Xi Jinping to hold presidential office well beyond 2023.

The Chinese legislature gave a near-unanimous approval to the sweeping changes, with 2,958 votes in favour, and only two votes in against.

Considering the legislature to be packed by the loyalist of the Jinping's governance, the re-election process was conducted smoothly.

In addition to removing the term limits, the new constitution paves the way for the establishment of a new anti-graft super agency, the National Supervisory Commission.

Further, Wang Qishan was elected vice president of China during the on-going congress session.

A total of 21 items; four in the preamble and 17 in the main body, were revised, with a new section inserted.

Xi, 64, has consolidated power since taking office as general secretary of the Communist Party in 2012.

He would have had to give up the presidency after the end of his second term in 2023, but he now has a lifetime to push his vision of making China a global powerhouse with a "world-class" military. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI