Emergence of younger officials a pointer to future leadership The sweeping reshuffle at the top of the Communist Party yesterday saw allies and supporters of President Hu Jintao elevated to the new Politburo, leading the race for the leadership in five years. Apart from consolidating Mr Hu's grip on power, the emergence of a number of younger officials - especially from his power base, the Communist Youth League - in the top leadership has provided strong hints for the possible lineup of the fifth-generation leadership, mainland analysts say. While the ever-expanding party did not increase the total number of seats in the 25-member, all-powerful Politburo as previously rumoured, the reshuffle saw nine new faces, including at least four allies of Mr Hu. Wang Gang , the only alternate member of the Politburo in the last party congress and believed to be close to Mr Hu's predecessor, Jiang Zemin , was elevated to a full member yesterday. Analysts noted Mr Hu has attached growing attention to decision-making at the Politburo level in the past five years, rather than among its nine-member Standing Committee, where he has met stronger opposition to his rule. Six of the nine new members were in their 50s, with Li Keqiang, a Hu protege and party secretary in Liaoning , and Chongqing party boss Wang Yang , another Hu ally, being the youngest at 52. Like Shanghai party boss Xi Jinping , 54, a princeling and a new Politburo member who broke into the Standing Committee, Mr Li has been handpicked by Mr Hu. They are widely believed to be in a close race to succeed Mr Hu in 2012 and become the core of the fifth generation of leaders. Li Yuanchao , 57, Jiangsu party secretary and Liu Yandong , 61, head of the party's United Front department, who are believed to be members of Mr Hu's so-called tuanpai, have also been promoted. Other new faces include Beijing mayor Wang Qishan , 59, Commerce Minister Bo Xilai , 58, Tianjin party secretary Zhang Gaoli , 61, and Central Military Commission vice-chairman Xu Caihou , 64. Mao Shoulong , from Renmin University in Beijing, said those under 57 would be most likely to be appointed to top party and government posts in five years. 'Age limits have become the most important criterion in the leadership reshuffle,' Professor Mao said. He said Politburo members in their 60s would have much less chance of promotion or even keeping their positions in five years. Nineteen members are over 60, including all Standing Committee members except Mr Xi and Li Keqiang . 'But apart from age, whether they will be promoted or sidelined will be decided primarily by their political performance and achievements.' Professor Mao said a bit of luck was also necessary. Former Beijing mayor Meng Xuenong, 58, a close associate of Mr Hu who was sacked during the 2003 Sars outbreak to take the blame for the leadership, was reinstalled as governor of Shanxi only this year. Hu Xingdou , a Beijing-based analyst, said the new lineup displayed strong backing for the reform-minded Mr Hu. Analysts said trouble-shooters Mr Bo and Mr Wang, known for their reformist experiences, were also likely to side with Mr Hu. Power centres The makeup of the three other top Communist Party bodies Secretariat of the 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party Xi Jinping, Liu Yunshan, Li Yuanchao, He Yong, Ling Jihua, Wang Huning. Top officials of the CPC Central Military Commission Chairman: Hu Jintao Vice-chairman: Guo Boxiong, Xu Caihou Members: Liang Guanglie, Chen Bingde, Li Jinai, Liao Xilong, Chang Wanquan, Jing Zhiyuan, Wu Shengli, Xu Qiliang. Top officials of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary: He Guoqiang Deputy secretaries: He Yong, Zhang Huixin, Ma Wen, Sun Zhongtong, Gan Yisheng, Zhang Yi, Huang Shuxian, Li Yufu
