As China’s Communist Party meets, here’s what Xi’s new team may look like
Global News
Given China's extremely opaque politics, much less is known about who else will be promoted into key roles on the Politburo and its elite Standing Committee.
China’s Xi Jinping is widely expected to clinch a third five-year leadership at the upcoming congress of the ruling Communist Party, a mandate that would secure his stature as the country’s most powerful ruler since founding leader Mao Zedong.
Given China’s extremely opaque politics, much less is known about who else will be promoted into key roles on the Politburo and its elite Standing Committee, which currently has seven members.
It is also not known who will succeed Li Keqiang as premier, the country’s No.2 post, when Li steps aside in March under rules that limit him to two five-year terms.
Following are key people to watch at the congress, which starts on Oct. 16:
Li will step down from China’s No.2 office at the annual parliamentary session in March. He may exit politics completely, or stay on as parliament chief, in which case he would remain on the standing committee.
Wang, who is currently ranked fourth on the Politburo Standing Committee, is considered a leading candidate to become premier.
Hu is considered a candidate for elevation to the PSC and possibly to become China’s next premier.
Li, a close Xi ally, is considered a candidate for elevation to the PSC despite this year’s two-month COVID-19 lockdown in Shanghai, which fueled outrage among residents and inflicted deep economic damage.