China's ruling Communist Party has passed a controversial constitutional amendment that will abolish the term limits for its leader.
The almost unanimous vote on Sunday effectively allows President Xi Jinping to remain in power for as long as he wants.
Ro Aram reports.
Sunday's vote by China's rubber-stamp parliament removes a system enacted by former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in 1982.
That was aimed at preventing a Mao Zedong-type cult of personality and the dangers of one-man rule.
President Xi has already been hailed as the most powerful leader since Mao, but now it's official.
He had claimed that the constitutional changes were what the Chinese people and party wanted.
Although most of the public favor the move as providing stability and allowing President Xi time to see through his agenda of fighting corruption and ending poverty, others are more wary.
Some critics suggest it could make President Xi politically vulnerable in the long run.
Those concerns are mostly based on the fact that during the era of Mao Zedong, many poor decisions were made due to vicious infighting within the Communist Party.
Others are concerned about a return to increased political repression throughout the country, which has already become apparent.
Any comments on social media expressing opposition to Sunday's move have been scrapped by China's censored internet and critics say they have been pressured by the government to stay silent.
As well as a tighter grip on power, Xi has long promoted a strong military and has made rapid advancements to his armed forces.
That, along with the prospect of a life-long Xi leadership, could see other countries on edge as it could allow him to act more aggressively on China's territorial claim in the South China Sea.
Although Xi is China's unrivaled leader, the presidency is merely a symbolic position and the real power lies with the head of the Communist Party.
The next few years could see the emergence of Chairman Xi, which will solidify his grip on power even further .
Ro Aram, Arirang News.