China’s new leadership

China’s Communist Party concluded its conclave with a clear confirmation og Xi Jinping’s personal leadership, giving him a status and
authority unmatched by any Chinese political figure in recent history

Xi has already been implementing the economic program he favors—
focused on maintaining a strong state with firm control over any financial
or social risks—and there is no reason to expect a major change of course
on the economy. In his speech Xi promised to deliver the Chinese
people “a better life” defined not only by material prosperity but also a
clean environment, extensive public services, strong national security, and
a patriotic and uplifting culture.

Therefore it may be significant that Xi has not broken with all past
practice. There had been much speculation that Xi would move toward a
“presidential system,” turning the PBSC into a smaller group of
lieutenants handpicked by Xi in defiance of retirement age or other
strictures. In the end this scenario did not materialize: the PBSC has
remained a seven-member grouping that is not wholly dominated by Xi’s
cronies