[JURIST] The Communist Party of China amended their constitution [text] Tuesday to add a section titled “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” The party’s “absolute” leadership over the military, the fight against corruption, Xi’s “Belt and Road” development initiative, supply-side reforms, and market forces in resource were also addressed [Xinhua report] in the amendments.

The party’s constitution [USC backgrounder] is separate from China’s national Constitution. The party’s document governs party procedures the party is to follow. Xi’s “thought” enumerates a number of issues but has the goals of leading China to become “a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful by the middle of the century.” The constitution of the party also includes Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development.

Xi Jinping [BBC profile] is due to hit the 67-year age limit typical for Chinese Communist leaders, but could likely remain [NPR report] in power past that date. Some have seen this move as a consolidation of power [Reuters report] by Xi since assuming party leadership in 2012. His move up has been a gradual one since his rise to leadership.