Chinese President Xi Jinping has faced pressure to control the spread of COVID-19 and continue to grow the economy as his potential third term nears. He can legally seek out another term in power because the National People’s Congress removed presidential term limits in 2018.
Xi’s approach to managing COVID-19 has been one of several policies that are controversial among those in the west.
Under Xi, China’s treatment of Uyghurs–a Muslim minority group–has been a concern. The U.S. Department of State has referred to it as “genocide.” Additionally, Xi has indicated that China would like to bring Taiwan back into the fold, and he has not ruled out the use of force to accomplish the goal.