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Donald Trump praises Xi Jinping over move to end term limit ... ‘maybe we’ll have to give that a shot someday’

But Beijing says it doesn’t want to export its governance model or ask other countries to follow its practices

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Donald Trump has praised Xi Jinping after China announced a proposal to end the two-term limit on the presidency. Photo: AP

Beijing does not intend to export its governance model or ask other countries to follow its lead, a government official told media on Sunday, hours after US President Donald Trump praised Xi Jinping over a move to scrap the presidential term limit.

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While the Communist Party’s proposal to remove the limit of two five-year terms – meaning Xi could stay in power indefinitely – has sparked criticism and fears of a return to strongman politics, Trump said he was fine with the idea. He even suggested the United States could “give that a shot someday”.

“He’s now president for life, president for life. And he’s great,” Trump said, according to audio of excerpts of Trump’s remarks at a closed-door fundraiser in Florida aired by CNN. 

“And look, he was able to do that. I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot someday,” Trump said to cheers and applause from supporters.

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But for Beijing, Trump’s praise is not needed. 

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