Xi Jinping is unanimously elected president of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the PRC at the third plenary meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Xi Jinping was unanimously elected president of the People's Republic of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission of the PRC on Friday morning at the first session of the 14th National People's Congress.
After being elected, Xi made a public pledge of allegiance to the Constitution at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, with all those present standing to witness the historic moment.
"(I pledge to) be loyal to the country and the people, be committed and honest in my duty, accept the people's supervision and work for a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful," he said.
Hassane Rabehi, Algeria's ambassador to China, who witnessed the elections, said he could see how democracy has been practiced in the process of the elections and how the different groups of the Chinese people have been represented
The ceremony was broadcast live by China Central Television and on the internet.
The country's top legislature also elected Han Zheng as vice-president of the PRC.
In addition, it approved a plan on reforming the institutions of the State Council.
Hassane Rabehi, Algeria's ambassador to China, who witnessed the elections, said he could see how democracy has been practiced in the process of the elections and how the different groups of the Chinese people have been represented.
"We have full confidence in the future of China," he added.
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Edwin Afande, the charge d'affaires of the Kenyan embassy in China, said the rule of law is important and it should be exercised by the people, as "we have seen here in China".
He added that this was clearly shown by the NPC, "which has elected President Xi Jinping, who will now continue with his mandate for greater possibilities for the people of China, and also for the people of Africa".
Xi Jinping, newly elected president of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission of the PRC, makes a public pledge of allegiance to the Constitution at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Liu Qing, a deputy to the NPC and president of the Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute, said with Xi steering the country, "we are full of confidence for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation"
Valerii Bronskykh, first secretary with the embassy of Ukraine in Beijing, said the unanimous vote showed the deputies' strong support for the president. He added that the oath-taking ceremony was very significant. "I think everything is quite impressive and positive," he added.
Liu Qing, a deputy to the NPC and president of the Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute, said with Xi steering the country, "we are full of confidence for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation".
Kong Feifei, an NPC deputy from the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and deputy Party secretary of Qapqal township, QapqalXibe autonomous prefecture, said that when the result of the vote for the president was announced, the NPC deputies all stood up and broke into loud applause.
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"We are all very happy about the result. Once again, Xi was unanimously elected Chinese president. It has fully represented the will of the NPC deputies, and more importantly, the will of the people from all ethnic groups," said Kong, a member of the Xibe ethnic group.
Kurban Niyaz, also an NPC deputy from Xinjiang and headmaster of a primary school in Aksu prefecture, said it's a great responsibility to vote as a representative of the people.
Deputies to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) cast their votes during the third plenary meeting of the first session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, on March 10, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
"Our votes are the choices of the people who all believe in Xi from the bottom of their hearts. I believe that under the new central leadership headed by Xi, people can become more united and contribute more to making the country more prosperous," said Kurban, a member of the Uygur ethnic group.
With Xi steering the country, whole-process people's democracy will be better enforced, and China can stay on the path of high-quality development.
Zhang Qi, a member of 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
Zhang Qi, a member of 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference — the nation's top political advisory body — said Xi's election is very encouraging.
"With Xi steering the country, whole-process people's democracy will be better enforced, and China can stay on the path of high-quality development," said Zhang, who works at an investment company in Shanghai.
Business leader Peter Lam Kin-ngok, a Hong Kong member of the Standing Committee of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, said Xi has a deep concern for Hong Kong's development and his visit to the city last year fully demonstrated the president's care for Hong Kong and its people.
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It was under Xi's leadership that Hong Kong was able to restore order and enter a new stage of seeking greater prosperity. Hong Kong should further accelerate the pace of integrating into national development, which is a win-win for both the nation and the city, Lam added.
Lao Ngai-leong, head of the Macao delegation to the 14th NPC, said that President Xi has supported Macao's moves to diversify its economy, address deep-seated socioeconomic problems, and develop the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Zhuhai, which offers a new platform and has injected new vitality into Macao's high-quality development.
Lao pledged to strive for the steady implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle in Macao, along with other Macao compatriots, and help the city make greater contributions to the nation's development.
Zhang Yue, William Xu and Li Bingcun contributed to this story.
Contact the writers at xuwei@chinadaily.com.cn