Trump praises Xi s power grab

Washington March 4 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has praised his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for recently consolidating power and extending his potential tenure musing that he would not mind making such a manoeuver himself a media report said.

"He s now president for life. President for life. No he s great " CNN quoted Trump as saying at speech to Republican donors in Florida on Saturday.

"And look he was able to do that. I think it s great. Maybe we ll have to give that a shot some day."

Jinping came to power in 2012 and had been expected to rule until 2023 the Guardian reported.

However last week it emerged that Xi would attempt to use an annual meeting of China s parliament which begins on Monday morning to abolish presidential term limits by changing the Chinese constitution.

However Liberals have condemned the power grab.

Xing Hua a Chinese scholar who agreed to be interviewed claimed foreign journalists were "over-interpreting" and "over-emphasising" the move.

"I hope western media can view this proposal in a comprehensive and objective manner " Xing from the China Institute of International Studies a state-run think tank told the Guardian.

However western experts say they are convinced Xi s plan is to rule for many years to come.

--IANS
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