Xi Jinping has a third term as China’s leader, in a break with recent precedent.
He has also introduced his new top team – which includes former Shanghai party chief Li Qiang as the new premier.
Saturday’s closing ceremony saw Xi’s predecessor Hu Jintao escorted out, apparently unwillingly, with state media later saying he had not been well.
Xi, 69, is arguably the most powerful party chief since the first communist-era leader Mao Zedong who died in 1976.
So far the party congress has proceeded smoothly for Xi. The constitution has been amended to further reflect his authority; most of the Central Committee membership revealed yesterday reflect his allies and their factions.
But Xi’s grip on power comes amid mounting challenges to the Chinese economy.
For the first time in years, China will miss its annual growth target (5.5% this year). Some Chinese have lost their homes amid a property crisis.
Covid lockdowns have also driven many to their limits across the country. Almost all domestic outcry on China’s internet this year has been about the toll of Xi’s flagship zero-Covid policy.
But in his speech as the party congress opened Xi doubled down on zero-COVID. saying it was saving lives, and emphasised ideology rather than coming up with specific solutions.
Source: BBC