How Xi Jinping spent a decade cementing his grip on China to become the most powerful leader since Mao

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China's ruling Communist Party proposed this week to eliminate presidential term limits, making it possible for current president Xi Jinping to rule indefinitely.

Without a set limit, Xi will be following in the footsteps of communist China's founder Mao Zedong, who ruled from 1949-1976, but also oversaw the deaths of tens of millions.

The most impressive aspect of Xi's leadership - and potentially the most threatening - is his calculated consolidation of power.

As president for the last five years, Xi initiated a corruption crackdown, which jailed some of China's highest-ranking leaders, and created central leading groups that allow him to bypass regular checks and balances. Xi has effectively gained oversight on almost all aspects of Chinese policy, from military reform to cybersecurity.

He has also increased internet censorship, which is aimed at curbing popular dissent, and implemented the ambitious Belt and Road initiative, China's global trade and infrastructure plan to link 70 countries.

Xi is coming to the end of his first five-year term and is set to be appointed to a second, and no longer final, term starting March 5.

Here is a look at some key moments that marked Xi's rise to absolute power.