Xi Jinping was appointed as the new leader of both the ruling Communist Party and the country’s military at the conclusion of China’s Party Congress. He takes will steer the world’s second-largest economy for the next decade.
Mr. Xi addressed the Great Hall of the People in a keynote speech with a strong contrast to Mr. Hu’s “tightly-scripted, robotic appearances.”
“Our party is dedicated to serving the people,” Mr. Xi said after introducing the other six members of the standing committee. “The people’s desire for better lives is what we shall fight for.”
Mr. Xi also pledged to battle corruption and concerns brought by the public.
According to AP, the new line-up consists mainly of conservatives and politicians who have already served at least one term on the 25-member politburo, suggesting that the new leadership is unlikely to liberalize the rigid government. This comes amid simmering public anger and discontent over corruption and environmental degradation.
Other leaders joining Mr. Xi for the next decade are Li Keqiang, potentially the next premier; Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli.
