Xi Jinping gives himself a pat on the back for ‘five extraordinary years’

President Xi Jinping gave himself a pat on the back on Sunday, attributing China’s achievements in the past five years to the party’s strong leadership ahead of a parliamentary gathering that is set to clear the way for him to stay in power beyond 2023.

Xi’s close ally Wang Qishan has meanwhile taken a seat on the presidium of the legislative meetings and featured prominently on the state broadcaster’s evening newscast – the latest sign the former anti-corruption tsar will remain in the power circle to aide Xi for the coming years.

“The five years since the 18th party congress have been five extraordinary years,” Xi told a meeting of political advisers who were not Communist Party members.

The president went on to list improvements in areas ranging from the economy, science and technology and defence to global influence.

“These achievements have been hard-won and are the result of the strong leadership of the party’s Central Committee,” said Xi, who was elevated as the “core” of the party’s leadership in 2016.