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China's rising stars tight-lipped China's rising stars tight-lipped
(30 minutes later)
Two men widely expected to join China's next generation of top leaders have given no hint of their future prospects at a key political gathering.Two men widely expected to join China's next generation of top leaders have given no hint of their future prospects at a key political gathering.
Shanghai Communist Party boss Xi Jinping and his counterpart in Liaoning Province, Li Keqiang, are both tipped for high office.Shanghai Communist Party boss Xi Jinping and his counterpart in Liaoning Province, Li Keqiang, are both tipped for high office.
But they ducked questions on whether they would join the politburo standing committee, China's top political body.But they ducked questions on whether they would join the politburo standing committee, China's top political body.
Both men are attending the party's 17th congress, held to endorse new policies.Both men are attending the party's 17th congress, held to endorse new policies.
They were speaking separately at meetings of their regional delegations, held to discuss a keynote speech given on Monday by President Hu Jintao to mark the opening of the five-yearly congress.They were speaking separately at meetings of their regional delegations, held to discuss a keynote speech given on Monday by President Hu Jintao to mark the opening of the five-yearly congress.
Pros and cons of joining up China's elusive leader Both men made cautious comments and repeated statements voiced by President Hu, the party's general secretary.Pros and cons of joining up China's elusive leader Both men made cautious comments and repeated statements voiced by President Hu, the party's general secretary.
"In the process of promoting economic development, we must promote a harmonious society," Mr Li was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency."In the process of promoting economic development, we must promote a harmonious society," Mr Li was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
The phrase "harmonious society" refers to the president's belief that more people should share China's economic development.The phrase "harmonious society" refers to the president's belief that more people should share China's economic development.
Widespread speculationWidespread speculation
Mr Xi, who became party secretary in Shanghai earlier this year, repeated another one of President Hu's favourite phrases - scientific development.Mr Xi, who became party secretary in Shanghai earlier this year, repeated another one of President Hu's favourite phrases - scientific development.
"We are taking additional steps to explore and expand on the theory of scientific development and bring it to its full fruition," said the 54-year-old, according to the Associated Press."We are taking additional steps to explore and expand on the theory of scientific development and bring it to its full fruition," said the 54-year-old, according to the Associated Press.
MAJOR THEMES OF THE CONGRESS Promoting 'social harmony''Scientific development'Building a 'well-off society'Consolidation of President Hu's position Q&A: Party Congress In depth: Changing China
There is widespread speculation about who will join the politburo standing committee - a line-up that will be announced when the week-long congress ends.There is widespread speculation about who will join the politburo standing committee - a line-up that will be announced when the week-long congress ends.
But such is the secrecy surrounding the selection of new leaders that no-one knows for sure even if the number of seats on the standing committee - currently nine - will stay the same.But such is the secrecy surrounding the selection of new leaders that no-one knows for sure even if the number of seats on the standing committee - currently nine - will stay the same.
MAJOR THEMES OF THE CONGRESS Promoting 'social harmony''Scientific development'Building a 'well-off society'Consolidation of President Hu's position class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7039876.stm">Q&A: Party Congress class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/in_depth/china_politics/government/html/1.stm">In depth: Changing China Xi Jinping and 52-year-old Li Keqiang were not the only ones showing their support for President Hu. Chinese newspapers were also loyal. Xi Jinping and 52-year-old Li Keqiang were not the only ones showing their support for President Hu. Chinese newspapers were also loyal.
The day after the president gave his speech at the opening ceremony of the congress, most newspapers ran almost identical front pages.The day after the president gave his speech at the opening ceremony of the congress, most newspapers ran almost identical front pages.
HAVE YOUR SAY China should realise the importance of democratic checks and balances if it wants to take its rightful place among strong nations N.G. Krishnan, Bangalore, India Send us your comments
Headlines, photographs and even page layouts bore striking similarities.Headlines, photographs and even page layouts bore striking similarities.
They repeated Mr Hu's call to "struggle to build a relatively well-off society".They repeated Mr Hu's call to "struggle to build a relatively well-off society".
China's state-run Xinhua news agency published a report proclaiming that the president's work was highly regarded by ordinary people.China's state-run Xinhua news agency published a report proclaiming that the president's work was highly regarded by ordinary people.
"Without the leadership of the party, people in Tibet would not have the happy life we enjoy today," Xinhua quoted 72-year-old party member Basang Cering as saying."Without the leadership of the party, people in Tibet would not have the happy life we enjoy today," Xinhua quoted 72-year-old party member Basang Cering as saying.
Internet users seemed less likely to lavish praise on the party.Internet users seemed less likely to lavish praise on the party.
"In the evening I watched the news and saw that as soon as the 17th party congress opened, salaries were up, prices were stable, houses were cheaper and people were happier," wrote one web user."In the evening I watched the news and saw that as soon as the 17th party congress opened, salaries were up, prices were stable, houses were cheaper and people were happier," wrote one web user.
"It would be good if there could be a party congress every day.""It would be good if there could be a party congress every day."