Xi Jinping pledges to tackle corruption
After vice-president is sworn in as party chief, he acknowledges many 'pressing problems' that will have to be resolved within its ranks
Xi Jinping officially took over the baton as the new party and military chief yesterday, marking the climax of the once-a-decade leadership succession previously plagued by political scandals and rampant rumours about splits among top leaders.
Along with Xi, a slate of new leaders was also sworn in as they were elevated to the Politburo and its Standing Committee, the apex of power, after elections by the newly elected Central Committee yesterday.
Their subsequent first media exposure after taking office, especially Xi's maiden public speech as the country's new supreme leader, was widely applauded for showing some positive changes in leadership style.
Confirming a report by the South China Morning Post, the party's innermost circle has been reduced from nine seats to seven, which also includes vice-premier and Chongqing party chief Zhang Dejiang , 66, Shanghai party boss Yu Zhengsheng , 67, propaganda chief Liu Yunshan , 65, Vice-Premier Wang Qishan , 64, and Tianjin party chief Zhang Gaoli , 66.
Xi, appearing relaxed and confident, was no doubt aware that apart from assuming immense power, he will also have to deal with the extremely difficult legacy left by his predecessor Hu Jintao .
"Our party faces many severe challenges, and there are also many pressing problems within the party that need to be resolved, particularly corruption, being divorced from the people, going through formalities and bureaucratism caused by some party officials," he said in the nationally televised speech. "We must make every effort to solve these problems. The whole party must stay on full alert," he said.