China crowns Xi with name once reserved for Mao Zedong

BEIJING: China's ruling Communist Party has dusted off a Mao-era honorific for President Xi Jinping, cementing his status as the most powerful ruler since the Great Helmsman himself, reports AFP.

The term "lingxiu" has more reverential and spiritual connotations than the ordinary term for leader, and has not been used since the time of Mao's successor Hua Guofeng. But it has begun to pop up again in state media and in government meetings.

After the 19th party congress ended last Tuesday, Xi was formally handed a second term as its leader.

With no clear successor emerging in a revamped ruling council, known as the Politburo Standing Committee, he could dominate the nation for decades to come.

 

China crowns Xi with name once reserved for Mao Zedong

BEIJING: Chinas ruling Communist Party has dusted off a Mao-era honorific for President Xi Jinping, cementing his status as the most powerful ruler since the Great Helmsman himself, reports AFP. The term lingxiu has more reverential and spiritual connotations than the ordinary term for leader, and has not been used since the time of Maos successor Hua Guofeng. But it has begun to pop up again in state media and in government meetings. After the 19th party congress ended last Tuesday, Xi was formally handed a second term as its leader. With no clear successor emerging in a revamped ruling council, known as the Politburo Standing Committee, he could dominate the nation for decades to come.