The Communist Party of China on Wednesday officially designated the new members of its Politburo Standing Committee, the body that makes key decisions in the country.
The committee includes Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, as well as Director of CPC General Office Li Zhanshu, Vice Premier of the State Council Wang Yang, Director of the Office of the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reform Wang Huning, Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection Zhao Leiji and Communist Party chief of Shanghai Han Zheng.
The announced lineup does not include a clear successor to Mr. Xi, and the speculations are mounting that he is planning on the third term, allowing him to stay in power until 2027.