"China's constitution sets term limits for presidents and ministers, but there is no such rule for the party secretary.
"Analysts say Xi sees an enviable model in Russia's Vladimir Putin * * * 'Putin can switch his positions without losing his power, but in Chinese politics that's not possible,' he [Bo Zhiyue, professor of Chinese politics at the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand] told AFP, adding that staying on as general secretary but not retaining the presidency would make Xi a 'less powerful leader.'