China's Xi stacks new inner circle with loyalists for third term

Shanghai party boss Li Qiang clinches No. 2 spot; Vice Premier Hu Chunhua demoted

From left, China's new Politburo Standing Committee members Li Xi, Cai Qi, Zhao Leji, Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Wang Huning and Ding Xuexiang, stand in front of the media at Beijing's Great Hall of the People on Oct. 23. (Photo by Yusuke Hinata)

CK TAN, Nikkei staff writer

October 23, 2022 09:25 JST

Updated on October 23, 2022 15:09 JST

BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday unveiled a new leadership team stacked with loyalists as he looks to consolidate his power in a precedent-busting third term.

A day after China's top political meeting wrapped up, Xi walked into Beijing's Great Hall of the People followed by members of the Communist Party's new Politburo Standing Committee -- the pinnacle of Chinese leadership -- in descending rank.