China congress: Xi cements power by packing top team with loyalists

China's leader (Zhg)Xi Jinping has moved into a historic third term in power, as he revealed a new leadership team stacked with loyalists.

The Chinese Communist Party unveiled its Politburo Standing Committee, with Xi re-elected as general secretary.

BBC reports observers say the line-up, handpicked by Xi, shows he prizes loyalty over expertise and experience.

The unveiling came after a week-long party congress in the capital.

More than 2,300 delegates elected various leadership groups and gave Xi a new mandate over the party, in a break from decades-long tradition.

No other party leader besides Communist Party founder Mao Zedong has ever served a third term.

Leaders of China's allies, Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong-un were among the first to send their congratulations.

[Source: BBC News]