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China's leadership reshuffle 2017
ChinaPolitics

China begins selecting delegates for Communist Party Congress

Some 2,300 delegates will be elected by June for next year’s political meeting, where the national leadership will be decided

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President Xi Jinping (left) and Premier Li Keqiang pictured in July this year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The elections to the 19th congress come amid intensive calls within the party for loyalty to Xi. Photo: AP
Jun Mai

Hours before Donald Trump’s surprise victory in the US presidential election on Wednesday, Beijing announced guidelines for arguably the most important election in China in five years.

A statement from the party’s Central Committee said the election of delegates for the 19th party congress to be held next year had started.

The delegates will vote on who will serve in the party’s top leadership for a five-year term.

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Among the criteria for selection, political loyalty appeared to be key. “[They] must firmly insist on the ideals of communism, and [have] self-confidence in the Chinese socialist path and theories,” a spokesman for the Central ­Organisation Department told Xinhua.
National graft-buster Wang Qishan at the annual session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing in March. Wang is expected to remain in power past the traditional retirement age. Photo: Simon Song
National graft-buster Wang Qishan at the annual session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing in March. Wang is expected to remain in power past the traditional retirement age. Photo: Simon Song

“[They] must firmly implement the policies of the party … and remain highly consistent with the party’s central leadership with comrade Xi Jinping as the core in mind and action.”

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A total of 2,300 delegates will be elected by 40 electoral units spread across the country and
the voting will be completed by June next year, according to the ­statement from the Central ­Committee.

The 40 electoral units come from 31 cities and provinces plus other constituencies covering areas such as the military and state-owned enterprises.

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