President Hu Jintao emerged from the 17th congress in a stronger position than before, with a mandate for another five years as the party's general secretary and head of the military. His main rival for influence, 68-year-old Zeng Qinghong , stepped down, contrary to earlier reports that he would remain on the nine-member Politburo Standing Committee.
Mr Hu not only emerged in a stronger position as party leader. He also laid the groundwork for his own legacy as a theoretician who made major contributions to the party, as did his predecessors Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin. His contribution, the 'scientific outlook on development', was included in the party constitution. This follows the party's decision in 2002 to incorporate the contribution by Mr Jiang - the 'Three Represents' doctrine - in the party charter, and the 1997 inclusion of Deng Xiaoping Theory.
This means Mr Hu is now all but certain to be included in the pantheon of communist leaders, perhaps at the next congress five years from now, when he will have to step down.
Deng's contribution was the concept of building 'socialism with Chinese characteristics' - allowing China to depart from orthodox Marxist doctrine by introducing the market economy into socialism. Mr Jiang's three represents theory paved the way for capitalists to join the Communist Party.
Mr Hu's 'scientific outlook on development' calls for comprehensive, balanced and sustainable development with a people-centred approach. The charter was also amended to say that the party would foster the development of the private sector, confirming China's move towards a more capitalistic system.
Since Mr Hu has to retire in 2012, attention has focused on the members of the new Standing Committee. Two new members are in their fifties, which means each is young enough to take power five years from now and serve two five-year terms as the undisputed leader.