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| China's Communist Party congress begins in Beijing | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| China's biggest political event, the Communist Party congress, has begun in Beijing under tight security. | |
| Party leader and Chinese president Xi Jinping is addressing more than 2,000 delegates in the capital. | |
| The closed-door summit, which takes place once every five years, determines who rules China and the country's direction for the next term. | The closed-door summit, which takes place once every five years, determines who rules China and the country's direction for the next term. |
| Mr Xi, who became the leader in 2012, has been consolidating power and is expected to remain as party chief. | |
| The congress, which also decides on a roadmap for China for the next five years, is expected to finish next week. | |
| Shortly after the congress ends, the party is expected to unveil the new members of China's top decision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee, who will steer the country. | |
| Mr Xi began his speech on Wednesday listing China's achievements during his term, and said socialism with Chinese characteristics had entered "a new era". | |
| He called on party members to "always share our fate with the people, always keep the better life for the people in mind". | |
| Beijing is decked out in welcome banners and festive displays for the congress. | Beijing is decked out in welcome banners and festive displays for the congress. |
| However, the capital is also on high alert. Long lines were seen earlier this week at railway stations due to additional checks at transport hubs. | However, the capital is also on high alert. Long lines were seen earlier this week at railway stations due to additional checks at transport hubs. |
| The congress has also affected businesses, with some restaurants, gyms, nightclubs and karaoke bars reportedly shutting down due to tightened security rules, and accommodation-booking websites like Airbnb cancelling bookings in central Beijing. | |
| An austerity drive, instituted by Mr Xi, has meant a more pared down congress, with Chinese reports this week of delegates' hotels cutting back on frills such as decorations, free fruit in rooms and lavish meals. | An austerity drive, instituted by Mr Xi, has meant a more pared down congress, with Chinese reports this week of delegates' hotels cutting back on frills such as decorations, free fruit in rooms and lavish meals. |
| Many observers believe Mr Xi will further cement his position within the Party during the congress. | Many observers believe Mr Xi will further cement his position within the Party during the congress. |
| The Party could also rewrite its constitution to enshrine his political ideology - thus elevating him to the status of previous Party giants Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. | |
| Since becoming president, Mr Xi has tightened control within the Party, with a wide-reaching corruption crackdown, and also in Chinese society, with increasing censorship and arrests of lawyers and activists. | Since becoming president, Mr Xi has tightened control within the Party, with a wide-reaching corruption crackdown, and also in Chinese society, with increasing censorship and arrests of lawyers and activists. |
| Under Mr Xi, China's modernisation and reform has also accelerated, as has its assertiveness on the world stage. | Under Mr Xi, China's modernisation and reform has also accelerated, as has its assertiveness on the world stage. |
| He continues to enjoy widespread support among ordinary citizens in China. | He continues to enjoy widespread support among ordinary citizens in China. |