Straits Times: Mixed Reactions Over Xi’s Expanded Power

China’s Parliament plans to remove the term limits for China’s presidency. The rationale is to support reforms and a 30-year modernization plan. State-run media expressed approval for the plan to allow Xi Jinping to serve beyond 10 years while the response was mixed between criticism and support for stability on social media, reports Lim Yan Liang for the Straits Times. China's censors removed all responses, favorable or opposed, from Weibo. “To counter online criticism, web portals of state-linked outlets put out articles saying the masses support the change, and that the Constitution needs to evolve with the times to stay relevant and useful,” Lim reports. “Nevertheless, the coming change unsettled some in Hong Kong, where the authorities have been grappling with a pro-democracy movement.” Xi is 64, and the changes require approval by the National Party Congress that meets in March. – YaleGlobal