Live updates: China's new leadership meets the world
LATEST: “The leadership is divided. I’m not saying that they’re not going to try anything. It’s easier for them to move to a new growth model. I think they agree upon that and that won’t be the hardest task. But I see a lot of political paralysis in terms of changing the political system. I don’t see any headway.
Updated at 3pm
Who's who: seven party heavyweights named to China's Politburo core
Updated at 2.28pm
Comment from Jean-Pierre Cabestan, political science professor at Baptist University
“The leadership is divided. I’m not saying that they’re not going to try anything. It’s easier for them to move to a new growth model. I think they agree upon that and that won’t be the hardest task. But I see a lot of political paralysis in terms of changing the political system. I don’t see any headway.
“You push Wang Qishan to the [anti-corruption body]... he’s being moved to a rather secondary position and he’s the only rather reformist guy. The other ones are maybe modernizers, but I don’t see them rocking the boat unless Xi Jinping demonstrates leadership and charisma and imposes his views on the rest of the leadership.” (Reuters)
[SCMP: Vice-Premier Wang Qishan to head anti-corruption agency]
Updated at 2.09pm
Japan wants to develop “mutually beneficial” relations with China’s new leaders, the country’s foreign ministry said Thursday, after Beijing unveiled its new top line-up.
“We really hope that the mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests will be further developed and enhanced with the new leadership” of China, the ministry’s Deputy Press Secretary Naoko Saiki said. (AFP)
[Japan wants ‘mutually beneficial’ relations with new China]
Updated at 1.44pm
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un offered his “warm congratulations” on Thursday to China’s Xi Jinping on taking over the reins of the world’s most populous country and Pyongyang’s closest ally. (AFP)
[N Korean leader Kim Jong-un congratulates China’s Xi]
Updated at 1.18pm
Zodiac matters
Chinese netizens have noticed that of the seven Standing Committee members, four are Cancers (Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng), two are Scorpios (Zhang Dejiang, zhang Gaoli), while Yu Zhengsheng is the only Aries.
"Now I will try to give birth to a Cancer baby," said a Sina Weibo user.
Updated at 12.50pm
The seven: Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan, Zhang Gaoli
Updated at 12.14pm
The meet-the-press session ended after a speech of less than 15 minutes by Xi. No other members of the new leadership spoke and no question-and-answer session was held.
Updated at 12.12pm
Within the party, there is serious corruption and violation of discipline and bureaucracy. The whole party must be on high alert, Xi said.
Updated at 12.08pm
Unlike previous leaders who all had heavy regional accents, Xi spoke in perfect Putonghua and relatively low and calm tone of voice.
Xi Jinping recounts China's modern history of humiliation and defeat and how the Communist Party rejuvenated China.
Updated at 12.02pm
Xi Jinping thanks Communist Party for placing trust in new leaders.
Updated at 11.59am
Vice-President Xi Jinping has been appointed chief of China’s military after a pivotal party congress that saw him become head of the ruling Communist Party, state media reported.
The appointment means outgoing Chinese leader Hu Jintao stands down as chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) -- a powerful position that his predecessor Jiang Zemin had clung to for two years after Hu was made president. (AFP)
[SCMP: Hu Jintao will step down as military chief today]
Updated at 11:55am
Emerging onto the podium to meet the press in strict order of seniority are: Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan, and Zhang Gaoli. They are the new members of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, the country’s top leadership organ.
Updated at 11.49am
Xi Jinping was elected general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Xinhua news agency said.
Updated at 11.28am
Updated at 11.25am
As the world anxiously waited for the new Chinese leadership to emerge from closed doors, guest commentators at China's official broadcaster CCTV seemed to have run out of prepared talking points. "How to achieve happiness in China" was the latest topic they were opining on.
Updated at 11.20am
No word yet on China's new leadership, even though an announcement was expected at 11am. We're staying tuned in to CCTV...
Updated at 10.20am
Updated at 10am
Hong Kong journalist Rose Luqiu Luwei just wrote on her Weibo that she saw seven spots marked in black on the red carpet where the members of the new Politburo Standing Committee are supposed to stand when they greet press in an hour. Her original post was removed within minutes. This seems to confirm earlier reports that the Party would reduce Standing Committee seats from the current nine to seven.
