Xi set to take power in China

Chinese leaders gather during the closing ceremony of the party congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. China's Communist Party will today unveil the new set of top leaders who will run the country for the next decade.Photo: AFP

China's ruling Communist Party closed a pivotal congress yesterday that put Vice President Xi Jinping a step closer to taking power for the next decade in a landmark transition.
The week-long Communist Party gathering in the cavernous Great Hall of the People ended after its 2,200 delegates from around the country selected a new leadership committee of roughly 200 party members.
Xi was renamed to the Central Committee, a widely expected development that was singled out by state media, suggesting he was firmly positioned to be announced as the party's top leader today.
The week-long forum ended with a show of unity by the delegates in the red-draped hall, who stood and sang the "Internationale," the socialist anthem.
The last word went to President Hu Jintao, who had opened the meeting with an address warning the party faces "collapse" if it cannot halt the rampant corruption that has undermined its legitimacy.
"I now announce that the 18th Chinese Communist Party Congress has come to a victorious conclusion," said Hu, the outgoing party leader.
"The congress has elected a new central committee of the party and replaced older leaders with younger ones."
The main business of the congress, which is held every five years, was to select a new circle of leaders at a time when China faces major economic challenges and growing scrutiny from its citizens.
The party did not immediately release the full Central Committee list but state news agency Xinhua reported the appointments of a number of officials from each of the two main factions believed jockeying for power.
They included several tipped for further promotion to the powerful Politburo Standing Committee, China's highest decision-making body which currently has nine members but could be slimmed to seven.
The elite committee is expected to be headed by Xi, with second place going to Vice Premier Li Keqiang who is slated to become premier in March.
However, analysts said only the make-up and pecking order of the standing committee -- which will be revealed today when members walk out before the media -- will provide certainty on the factional outcome.
In one corner is octogenarian former president Jiang Zemin, who is seen as a kingmaker after making a surprise political comeback, while the other faction comprises Hu's allies.
Xi is seen as a consensus figure who leans toward Jiang, while Li is considered to be in Hu's faction.
Analysts say that despite rivalries between the camps which are largely divided on patronage lines, they broadly agree China must reform its economy away from a dependence on exports, while maintaining a firm hand on dissent.
Xi's ascension has been expected since 2007, when he was given a position on the standing committee. That indicated his status as heir apparent to Hu, who officially relinquishes party control this week.
Meanwhile, China appointed a respected economist to its anti-graft body as it sought to stress its resolve in fighting the rampant corruption identified as one of the biggest challenges for the Communist Party.
Wang Qishan, China's top finance official, will join the party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the state-run Xinhua news agency said yesterday.