Ring Of Power Ruthless Xi Settles In For Another Five Years

Xi Jinping named acolytes in key political positions last Sunday as he was confirmed as China's leader for a precedent-breaking third term after a weeklong political meeting that eliminated rivals and strengthened his power.

- Helen Davidson, Emma Graham-Harrison and Verna Yu TAIPEI

Xi loyalists were revealed as members of China's most powerful political body, the politburo standing committee, as they walked on stage at a press event in order of rank: Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi.

Xi's reappointment after the close of the party congress, the most important meeting of the ruling Chinese Communist party's five-year political cycle, signalled his consolidation of power, with retention of the role of chair of the military commission, controlling the People's Liberation Army. He is expected to regain the less powerful title of president next year. Among the first world leaders to congratulate Xi were the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-un, and Russia's Vladimir Putin.

The appointments to the standing committee ranged from a friend with ties to Xi's family going back decades, to more recent aides who have proved their commitment to his rule, and a hardline ideologue who is his chief political theorist. Out of the door went senior figures considered to be prospective rivals to Xi, including Li Keqiang, who was premier, and Wang Yang, seen as a candidate for the next premiership but now removed from the 204-member central committee.