Xi Jinping shows muscle by setting up panels on economic reform, security

The creation of two new panels to oversee economic reform and national security provides perhaps the strongest sign yet that President Xi Jinping has successfully consolidated power across the government after a year in office.

The establishment of a central "leading team" on reform and a security co-ordinating committee required more political strength than Xi's predecessor Hu Jintao brought to bear a decade ago, analysts said.

Even Jiang Zemin, who reportedly remains a powerful force behind the scenes, failed to set up a similar security committee in the late 1990s.

The security committee will provide Xi with a new platform to wield influence over the diplomatic, intelligence, military and law enforcement agencies at a time of mounting security concerns at home and abroad. Many observers expect the president to chair the team.

The role will give Xi more control over domestic security, re-elevating a position that appeared to have been downgraded with ex-security tsar Zhou Yongkang's retirement after the party reshuffle last year.

"The power of the security chief in managing the nation's police force and judiciary is now passed to Xi," said Gu Su, a political science professor at Nanjing University.