China's Party Congress Selects New Ruling Council
Comments (0)
China's 2,270 delegates selected a new Central Committee in a closed-door vote at the closing session of the 18th Communist Party Congress on Wednesday.
China's 18th Communist Party Congress/ Flicker
The newly elected Central Committee is made of around 200 full members and about 170 alternate members with no voting rights.
The Central Committee will, on Thursday, appoint a Politburo of a few dozen members and a Standing Committee of about seven members. These two elite bodies are the top-level policy makers in China.
Vice President Xi Jinping has long been expected to succeed Hu Jintao as the leader of the party and the country while Vice Premier Li Keqiang will likely take office as Premier Wen’s replacement.
The other eight leading officials who have been tipped as possible members of the Standing Committee have also made it to the list of Central Committee members, according to Xinhua.
Among them are Li Yuanchao, minister of the party’s organization department, Tianjin’s party chief Zhang Gaoli, economist Zhang Dejiang, financial pundit Wang Qishan, Guangdong province’s party chief Wang Yang and Shanghai party chief Yu Zhengsheng.
Many observers said there might be more candidates than seats for the first time in the history.
Reach Staff Reporter Zhao Chen here
