<P> Since 1993, apart from brief periods of transition, the top leader of China simultaneously serves as the President, the head of the party, and the commander - in - chief of the military (as Chairman of the Central Military Commission). This individual then carries out different duties under separate titles . For example, the leader meets foreign dignitaries and receives ambassadors in his capacity as President, issues military directives as Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and upholds party rule through the office of General Secretary . </P> <P> The office was first established in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China in 1954 and successively held by Mao Zedong and Liu Shaoqi . Liu fell into political disgrace during the Cultural Revolution, after which the office became vacant . The office was abolished under the Constitution of 1975, then reinstated in the Constitution of 1982, but with reduced powers . The official English - language translation of the title was "Chairman"; after 1982, this translation was changed to "President", although the Chinese title remains unchanged . Therefore the title "President" in this case does not mean the same as in the United States or other Presidential systems, but rather as an approximation in terms of its power compared with parliamentary systems . </P> <P> The President is limited to serve up to two terms of five years each . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> China </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> This article is part of a series on the politics and government of China </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Leadership (show) <Ul> <Li> Leadership generations </Li> <Li> Collective leadership <Dl> <Dd> Paramount leader </Dd> <Dd> Leadership core </Dd> </Dl> </Li> </Ul> <P> Current leadership </P> <Ul> <Li> Xi - Li Administration </Li> <Li> National leaders <Dl> <Dd> President (list): Xi Jinping </Dd> <Dd> Vice President (list): Li Yuanchao </Dd> </Dl> </Li> <Li> Provincial leaders </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Communist Party (show) <Ul> <Li> History </Li> <Li> Organization </Li> </Ul> <Ul> <Li> National Party Congress (18th) <Ul> <Li> Central Committee (18th) <Dl> <Dd> General Secretary (list) <Dl> <Dd> Xi Jinping </Dd> </Dl> </Dd> </Dl> <Ul> <Li> Central Politburo (18th) <Dl> <Dd> Standing Committee (list) </Dd> </Dl> </Li> <Li> Central Secretariat <Dl> <Dd> Top - 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How many terms can a chinese president serve