Xi consolidates power in China as no successor emerges

Chinese president Xi Jinping has paved the way for an extended time in charge of the country after no heir apparent was named as part of the new Politburo standing committee confirmed at the Communist Party conference.

The seven-man executive committee was announced at the event in Beijing on Wednesday, with five new members entering the main decision-making body for China.

Traditionally leaders will serve a maximum of two five-year terms, with a successor named at the beginning of the second term.

The new appointees to the Politburo are all over 60 years old, fuelling speculation that none of them have been chosen as the person to take over from Xi, who is 64.

The five new members are chief of staff Li Zhanshu, aged 67; vice premier Wang Yan, aged 62; party theorist Wang Huning, aged 62; party personnel chief Zhao Lejin, aged 60; and Shanghai party secretary Han Zheng, aged 63.

Communist Party rules, or at least tradition, call for Politburo members to retire if they are older than 67 by the time of the twice-a-decade conference.

“Here, on behalf of the newly elected central leadership, I wish to express our heartfelt thanks to all other members of the party for the trust they have placed in us. We will work diligently to meet our duty, fulfil our mission and be worthy of their trust,” Xi said.

The announcement of the committee sees the end of the week-long congress, the biggest event in the Chinese political calendar.

"Over the past five years we have set out a broad agenda, some tasks have been completed while others need more work," the president added.

Xi's stature was elevated close to that of former leaders Mao Xedong and Deng Xiaopeng earlier in the week when his name and political ideology was added to the Party's constitution, with party delegates voting unanimously to adding "Xi Jinping thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era" to its list of guiding principles.

At the opening of the congress last week, Xi's three-hour speech included a pledge to lead the country into a "new era", lowering trade barriers and deepening financial sector reforms.

Analyst Jim Reid at Deutsche Bank said it "feels the significance of the committee make-up is a bit tempered after President Xi’s status has likely been elevated to new heights after successfully enshrining his thoughts on socialism into the Party constitution, which is no small feat."

Danske Bank said the lack of a successor to Xi as President in 2022 "will add to speculation that he may stay on after his second term".

Danske added: "By striking a balance on power and keeping to informal rules, it may also increase party support for Xi Jinping staying on after 2022. But only time will tell.

"With the Party Congress now behind him and a team Xi Jinping has been forming, we believe focus will turn to a further reform push in 2018."