This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-20322288

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
China's new leaders: Xi Jinping heads line-up China's new leaders: Xi Jinping heads line-up
(35 minutes later)
Xi Jinping has been confirmed as the man chosen to lead China for the next decade.Xi Jinping has been confirmed as the man chosen to lead China for the next decade.
Mr Xi led the new Politburo Standing Committee out onto the stage at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, signalling his elevation to the top of China's ruling Communist Party.Mr Xi led the new Politburo Standing Committee out onto the stage at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, signalling his elevation to the top of China's ruling Communist Party.
He replaces Hu Jintao, under whose administration China has seen a decade of extraordinary growth.He replaces Hu Jintao, under whose administration China has seen a decade of extraordinary growth.
The move marks the official passing of power from one generation to the next.The move marks the official passing of power from one generation to the next.
Mr Xi was followed by Li Keqiang, the man set to succeed Premier Wen Jiabao, and five other men - meaning that the size of the Standing Committee had been reduced from nine to seven. Mr Xi was followed by Li Keqiang, the man set to succeed Premier Wen Jiabao, and five other men - meaning that the size of the all-powerful Standing Committee had been reduced from nine to seven.
The new faces contain no surprises - as all of them are from the list of favourite names widely mentioned by the media.
The new line-up shows that 86-year old former leader Jiang Zemin still has important influence, because at least four out of seven new members are widely seen as his allies.
Meanwhile the outgoing leader Hu Jintao's three allies - Li Yuanchao, Liu Yuandong and Wang Yang - did not make it into the Standing Committee.
Mr Hu has also given up his post as the chairman of the Central Military Commission, indicating he will fully retire from his political posts and stay away from political life too.
The prospect of political reform now looks more unlikely as most of the new leaders are regarded as political conservatives.
Those five, in order of seniority, were Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang, Shanghai party boss Yu Zhengsheng, propaganda chief Liu Yunshan, Vice-Premier Wang Qishan and Tianjin party boss Zhang Gaoli.Those five, in order of seniority, were Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang, Shanghai party boss Yu Zhengsheng, propaganda chief Liu Yunshan, Vice-Premier Wang Qishan and Tianjin party boss Zhang Gaoli.
The new leaders had great responsibilities, Mr Xi said, but their mission was to be united, and to lead the party and the people to make the Chinese nation stronger and more powerful.The new leaders had great responsibilities, Mr Xi said, but their mission was to be united, and to lead the party and the people to make the Chinese nation stronger and more powerful.
"The people's desire for a better life is what we shall fight for," he said."The people's desire for a better life is what we shall fight for," he said.
Corruption had to be addressed, he said, and better party discipline was needed. But the new leaders would strive to deliver a good performance in the eyes of the people and the eyes of history.Corruption had to be addressed, he said, and better party discipline was needed. But the new leaders would strive to deliver a good performance in the eyes of the people and the eyes of history.
The new Standing Committee was endorsed in a vote early on Thursday by the new party Central Committee, but in reality the decisions had been made in advance.The new Standing Committee was endorsed in a vote early on Thursday by the new party Central Committee, but in reality the decisions had been made in advance.
The new leaders will gradually take over in the next few months, with Hu Jintao's presidency formally coming to an end at the annual parliament session in March 2013.The new leaders will gradually take over in the next few months, with Hu Jintao's presidency formally coming to an end at the annual parliament session in March 2013.
Mr Xi has also been named chairman of the Central Military Commission, a Xinhua news agency report said, ending uncertainty over whether that post would be transferred from Hu Jintao immediately.Mr Xi has also been named chairman of the Central Military Commission, a Xinhua news agency report said, ending uncertainty over whether that post would be transferred from Hu Jintao immediately.
Mr Hu's predecessor, Jiang Zemin, held on to the post for two years after he stood down from the party leadership.Mr Hu's predecessor, Jiang Zemin, held on to the post for two years after he stood down from the party leadership.
Mr Xi, a former Shanghai party chief, was appointed to the politburo in 2007.Mr Xi, a former Shanghai party chief, was appointed to the politburo in 2007.
A "princeling" - a relative of one of China's revolutionary elders - he has spent almost four decades in the Communist Party, serving in top posts in both Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, as well as Shanghai.A "princeling" - a relative of one of China's revolutionary elders - he has spent almost four decades in the Communist Party, serving in top posts in both Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, as well as Shanghai.
The 59-year-old is said to be a protégé of Jiang Zemin, while Li Keqiang is said to have been Mr Hu's preferred successor.The 59-year-old is said to be a protégé of Jiang Zemin, while Li Keqiang is said to have been Mr Hu's preferred successor.
Are you in China, or are you Chinese living abroad? How do you feel about the leadership change? You can get in touch using the form below:Are you in China, or are you Chinese living abroad? How do you feel about the leadership change? You can get in touch using the form below: