China unveils new party leadership

Leading the group was Xi Jinping, 59, as the party's new general secretary. This was no surprise as Xi had been in line to take on the position for some time and will take up the role of president in March next year. The appearance of the second-ranking individual, Li Keqiang, was also widely expected. Li will succeed Premier Wen Jiabao in March next year, giving him ultimate oversight of the economy.

Appearing confident in front of hundreds of cameras, China's new party general secretary promised to address the people's "desire for a happy life" by providing "better education, more stable jobs, more income, greater social security, better medical and healthcare, improved housing conditions, and a better environment". Xi acknowledged that the party "faces many severe challenges... particularly corruption, being divorced from the people, and going through the formalism and bureaucracy caused by some party officials". It was his most important appearance to date, and his relaxed, confident demeanor signalled a less formal approach compared to that of his predecessor Hu Jintao, who was often criticised for being too stiff and relying on vacuous political slogans.

China's new Politburo Standing Committee

The Central Committee then made public the rest of the newly formed PBSC, the composition of which had been the focus of intense factional infighting and the subject of heated media speculation for some months. It is important to note that the size of the PBSC was slimmed down from nine to seven members. This move was widely expected as part of an effort to make the body more efficient and to facilitate decision-making on difficult issues. The other five members on the body in order of seniority are:

Zhang Dejiang, vice premier and Chongqing party secretary, appointed NPC chairman,

Yu Zhengsheng, Shanghai party secretary, appointed chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC),

Liu Yunshan, director of propaganda department to direct party operations and propaganda,

Wang Qishan, vice premier, appointed head of the party's Central Commission for Disciplinary Inspection, and

Zhang Gaoli, Tianjin party secretary, appointed vice premier.