The Chinese Communist party has chosen a conservative team to lead the country for the next five years, despite calls for political change and fresh economic reforms.
A group of seven men in dark suits walked out on stage on Thursday morning at the Great Hall of the People to “meet the press” in the carefully scripted ceremony that Beijing used to introduce its new political leaders to the world.
The group was led by Xi Jinping, signalling that he holds the top rank and has succeeded Hu Jintao as general secretary of the party. He will succeed Mr Hu as president next March. Li Keqiang was third in line, an indication that he will replace Wen Jiabao as premier in March, in another expected decision.