China’s Politburo Standing Committee: The leaders

The Chinese Communist Party yesterday unveiled its new seven-member Politburo Standing Committee headed by leader Xi Jinping. Here are the men who will rule Beijing for the next five years under Xi's leadership, in order of seniority.

Li Qiang: The former Shanghai party chief and Xi confidant was promoted to number two in the party hierarchy, making him likely to be named premier at next March's legislative sessions. Li is viewed as one of Xi's favourites, having served as the leader's chief of staff while he was party boss of the Zhejiang province between 2004 and 2007.

Zhao Leji: The 65-year-old former head of the party's top anti-graft watchdog has remained on the Standing Committee, being promoted to number three in the party hierarchy. The experienced administrator has been party secretary of two provinces and a Politburo member since 2012.

Wang Huning: Xi's ideology tsar and existing Standing Committee member has been promoted to number four in the party lineup. Dubbed the "brains behind the throne", the 67-year-old has devised ideologies for three current and former Chinese presidents, and is the architect of Xi's "China Dream" slogan, as well as the country's more assertive foreign policy.

Cai Qi: Current Beijing party chief Cai Qi has been promoted to the Standing Committee and becomes the head of the General Secretariat, managing the day-to-day affairs of the party. The 66-year-old is seen as a close political ally of Xi. He worked under Xi in the provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian.

Ding Xuexiang: The low-key Politburo member and top aide of Xi has been promoted to the Standing Committee. His appointment is seen as a reward for his loyalty to Xi.

Li Xi: The current Politburo member and party chief of economic powerhouse Guangdong province has been promoted to the Standing Committee, in an appointment widely anticipated by observers. Li, 66, was confirmed as head of the powerful Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the party's powerful anti-graft watchdog, in a list released by Xinhua.