Chinese President Xi Jinping broke with tradition while naming the five new appointments to the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee by not anointing a clear successor.
The Politburo: The top decision-making body of the Communist Party of China
The members:
I) Xi Jinping, 64, President
Widely seen now as the country's most powerful eader since Mao Zedong after the addition of his name and 'thoughts' into the Party's Constitution
II) Li Keqiang, 62, Premier
China's second-most powerful politician who is seen as an ally of former President Hu Jintao. His position has been downgraded under Xi
III) Li Zhanshu, 67, Head of Parliament
A long-time friend of Xi. Played a role in his taking over as 'core leader' and also in having his theory added to the ConstitutionVisited Moscow as a 'special represenatative' in 2015; has played a key role in bilateral ties with Russia
IV) Wang Yang, 62, Executive Vice-Premier Top trade negotiator
A champion of private enterprise who is seen as relatively liberal and reform-minded.
V) Wang Huning, 62, Director of the policy research office
Xi's top foreign policy adviser and a former scholar. Advocates strong central leadership, termed as 'neo-authoritarianism', and is known for his dislike for corruption
VI) Zhao Leji, 60, Head of anti-corruption agency
Oversaw appointment of officials as head of the 'Organisation Department'. Takes over the CCDI from Wang Qishan. Considered close to Xi as both come from the coal-rich Shaanxi Province
VII) Han Zheng, 63, Shanghai party chief
Was Xi's deputy during his brief sting as party chief in Shanghai in in 2007. Credited with transformation of the city into an international financial hub. Favours market-oriented policies over centralised planning.
Xi's 'Thought' consists of 14 principles that include:
a) Ensuring Party leadership over all work;
b) Ensuring harmony between human and nature;
c) Upholding absolute Party leadership over the people's forces;
d) Upholding the principle of "one country, two systems" and promoting national reunification – a reference to Hong Kong and Taiwan
e) Exercising full and rigorous governance over the Party.