On Thursday, leaders of the Communist Party set the scene for the election to the office of President Xi JinpingTo extend his reign next year. He praised his contribution to China’s economic and strategic rise and applauded a political past that gave him the status of one of the most prominent party leaders.

As they closed a meeting on leadership, members of the Central Committee declared Xi’s ideology “the essence of Chinese culture.” A party statement stated that it had “decisive significance” in the “great rejuvenation” of China’s nation. This is an unusually effusive tone for a Chinese leader.

Xi has been widely expected to seek a third term of five years as party general secretary. He has more authority than anyone since Deng Xiaoping’s 1980s tenure. This would end a nearly two-decade-old party tradition, which would mean that the 68 year-old leader would have to step down next.

This is the third party leadership resolution regarding its history since it was founded 100 years ago. The others were under Mao Zedong who was the first communist leader and one under Deng who initiated reforms that transformed China into an economic superpower. It was widely believed that Xi’s decision to issue the one-year certificate symbolically elevated him to his status.

In 2018, Xi was removed from the post of president by his party, indicating that he intends to remain in power. Reporters were then told by officials that Xi may need additional time in order to ensure economic and other reforms are implemented.

Xi is the son of Mao’s generals. However, he has no apparent rivals. A bid for power may alienate younger members of the party who could see their prospects of promotion reduced.

Political scientists also point out the experiences of countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. They warn that prolonged periods of one-person rule can lead to poorer economic decisions and performance.

Thursday’s party declaration emphasized China’s achievements as the second-largest economy. The statement also ignored deadly political violence during its first decades and growing concerns about human rights violations.

Xi used his power over the vast party propaganda apparatus to help promote his image.

His national success stories include fighting the coronavirus, China’s rise as technology creators and last year’s lunar mission to return moon rocks.

Deng’s 1981 assessment disassociated the party from the violence of the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution.

Xi, on the other hand, has promoted a positive picture of the party’s first decades at power and called upon it to revive “its original mission” as China’s most powerful economic, political, and cultural force.