Xi Jinping secures unprecedented third term as Chinese President amid deteriorating ties with US and tensions with Taiwan.

 Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, has secured an unprecedented third term as the head of the state and has begun the second decade of his rule. His reappointment was a mere formality as he had already taken over as Communist Party chief last year. Xi's third term will not be easy as he faces challenges from various fronts, including deteriorating ties with the US and tensions with Taiwan.

Xi believes that his country should attain its rightful standing as a great power, and he feels increasingly pessimistic about China-US relations. He rebuked the US and its policies while addressing a political advisory body, accusing the Joe Biden administration of leading a "containment campaign against China." Xi will now dominate all aspects of party leadership domestically and internationally to make China stand tall and defend its interests.

While his focus remains on the US, Xi has to be mindful of deteriorating ties with India and challenges from neighbours Philippines and Japan over the South China Sea. He will also have Taiwan in his crosshairs, as he vowed earlier that if required, force would be applied to ensure "reunification" of Taiwan with the motherland.

Xi will aim to strengthen ties with China as a visit to Moscow is on the cards, and he is expected to visit some European countries as well. However, Xi will also have to be mindful of the impact of his moves on China's immediate neighbourhood. India has made it clear that any attempt to threaten its sovereignty will be met with a stern response. Meanwhile, the Biden administration and much of the western world are keen on shifting supply chains from China to other parts of the world, which can impact China's economic growth.

Xi will also face challenges from the US President Joe Biden's steps to prohibit the transfer of American technology and knowhow to China in the semiconductor sector, which will impact his plans to make China a semiconductor major. Despite these challenges, Xi aims to make China attain its rightful standing as a great power and strengthen ties with other countries.