Xi Jinping , a so-called princeling whose father was a Communist revolutionary, is now the man who would be king. Mr Xi is trusted by president and Communist Party general secretary Hu Jintao even though his privileged background might seem to put him at odds with the leader. But he also has ties to former party chief and president Jiang Zemin of the 'Shanghai Gang' of current and former leaders from the city, which has at times clashed with the present leadership.
Because of his links to both camps, Mr Xi, 54, was seen as the ideal compromise candidate for Shanghai party secretary, a post he took in March after his predecessor was sacked for corruption. His unique position makes him acceptable to both sides for higher office as well, though Mr Hu is not believed to see him as his preferred successor.
His famous father, Xi Zhongxun , was an ally of paramount leader Deng Xiaoping . The elder Xi is said to have stood by Hu Yaobang , the former party chief forced to step down in 1987 for supporting pro-democracy protests by students the previous year.
In a carefully orchestrated campaign in the weeks before the congress, state media lavished praise on the younger Xi, who could be the prime candidate to replace Mr Hu after he steps down in 2012. A front-page story in the party mouthpiece, People's Daily, was headlined: 'Glad to Hear Good Tidings from Shanghai'.
Mr Xi was considered a shoo-in to become a member of the party's Politburo but was originally a dark horse for its standing committee, before rising to the top of the list in the days before the congress. Television footage of Mr Xi trailing closely on the heels of Mr Hu while he was visiting Shanghai for the Special Olympics this month was taken as a hint of things to come.
Mr Xi remains largely a mystery to common Shanghai people, and many resented an 'outsider' taking over the city. Since he assumed the job seven months ago, he has kept a low profile and remains in the shadow of his famous wife and his late father, who served as a vice-premier.