Who's who: seven party heavyweights named to China's Politburo core

Interactive Infographic: China's new leadership by Joe Lo 

Xi Jinping will be the next leader of China, but to many observers he remains something of a cipher. In a three-part-series, the Post attempts to solve the mysteries of President Hu Jintao's successor by examining his early postings in rural Hebei and the work in the affluent coastal provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang that were the foundation for his rise (Full profile by Shi Jiangtao in Beijing)

2 From lawyer to leader, Li Keqiang will be best-educated leader yet

Premier-in-waiting Li Keqiang's higher degrees in law and economics set him apart - but don't expect radical liberalism from this cautious cadre (Full profile by Cary Huang in Beijing)

3 Zhang Dejiang: rise of the iron-fisted enforcer

Zhang Dejiang has proved he is a man who can be relied on in the event of a crisis, and is tipped to be rewarded with a seat at the top table  (Full profile by Fiona Tam)

4 Shanghai chief Yu Zhengsheng's well prepared to join party elite

Shanghai chief Yu Zhengsheng's political savvy, built up over many crises, stands him in good stead to join the upper echelon of the party (Full profile by Minnie Chan)

5 Mainland propaganda chief Liu Yunshan eyes top party post

Propaganda enforcer Liu Yunshan, with one eye on a top post, has spread Hu's grass-roots motto but critics say he is out of tune with modern media (Full profile by Raymond Li)

6 Wang Qishan: the mainland's economic reformer in waiting

Like his mentor Zhu Rongji, Wang Qishan is known as a problem solver. Many say his next task is prying the economy further open (Full profile by Cary Huang in Beijing)

7 Tianjin’s party boss Zhang Gaoli readies for limelight

Zhang Gaoli has long preferred to leave the big speeches to others - that's likely to change if he's appointed to the Politburo Standing Committee (Full profile by Teddy Ng in Beijing)