“The capability of any one individual is limited,” Xi Jinping warned five years ago as he assumed China’s leadership. The unwritten rule was that leaders would step down after two five-year terms; on that basis, this congress would mark the halfway point in Mr Xi’s tenure, and would anoint his successor. He has established control – with unforeseen speed and thoroughness – through three concentric rings, asserting his power within the party; the party’s power over the country; and China’s power within the world. Instead, the event is all about Mr Xi: how many of his people achieve which roles, and how his thinking is written into the party constitution. But who would dare to remind Mr Xi?

Source: The Guardian October 18, 2017 18:33 UTC