China’s abolition of term limits for the president, which will pave the way for Xi Jinping to rule for life, is the culmination of a campaign of tightening control waged by Xi since he came to power in 2012. Over the past five years he has worked doggedly to build a cult of personality, endearing himself to the populace as a father figure while requiring unwavering loyalty from officials and cracking down harshly on dissent. This is how Xi cemented his grip on China.
