View source for 17th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party

{{Short description|2007 Chinese Communist Party conference}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox historical event
| Event_Name = 17th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party
| Image_Name = GreatHall auditorium.jpg
| Imagesize = 250px
| Thumb_Time =
| Image_Alt =
| Image_Caption =
| Location = [[Great Hall of the People]], Beijing, China
| URL = {{URL|http://www.china.org.cn/english/congress/225855.htm}}
| Participants = 2,213 delegates
| Date = 15–21 October 2007 (7 days)
| Result = Election of the [[17th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party|17th Central Committee]] and [[17th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection]]
}}
{{Chinese
| pic =
| s = 中国共产党第十七次全国代表大会
| t = 中國共產黨第十七次全國代表大會
| p = Zhōngguó Gòngchǎndǎng Dìshíqícì Quánguó Dàibiǎo Dàhuì
| altname = Abbreviation
| c2 = 十七大
| p2 = Shíqí Dà
}}
The '''17th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party''' was held in Beijing, China, at the [[Great Hall of the People]] from 15 to 21 October 2007. Congress marked a significant shift in the political direction of the country as [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party|CCP General Secretary]] [[Hu Jintao]] solidified his position of leadership. Hu's signature policy doctrine, the [[Scientific Development Concept]], which aimed to create a "[[Socialist Harmonious Society]]" through egalitarian wealth distribution and concern for the country's less well-off, was enshrined into the Party Constitution. It was succeeded by the [[18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party]].<ref name="reuters10">[http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKMOL74807920070907 Chinese slogans mark Hu era] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219200029/http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKMOL74807920070907 |date=19 December 2007 }} Lindsay Beck ([[Reuters]])</ref>
The Congress also set up the political scene for a smooth transition to the [[generations of Chinese leadership|fifth generation of party leadership]], introducing rising political stars [[Xi Jinping]] and [[Li Keqiang]] to the [[Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China|Politburo Standing Committee]] (PSC), the country's ''de facto'' top decision-making body. Vice-President [[Zeng Qinghong]], an important ally of former General secretary [[Jiang Zemin]], retired from the PSC. Party anti-graft chief [[Wu Guanzheng]], and Legal and Political Commission chief [[Luo Gan]] also retired due to age, replaced by [[He Guoqiang]] and [[Zhou Yongkang]] in their respective posts.
==Significance==
A [[National Congress of the Communist Party of China|Communist Party Congress]] is a significant event in Chinese politics since it nominally decides the leadership of the People's Republic of China. (The Politburo Standing Committee makes major policy decisions for the government to implement and the [[National People's Congress]] in the following March will elevate its members to top government positions.)
Although the Congress formally elects the Central Committee and Politburo, in practice these positions are negotiated before the congress, and the Congress has never functioned as a [[deliberative assembly]].  Nominees to Party positions are invariably elected by wide margins, with a tightly controlled candidate-to-position ratio. There is room for symbolic [[protest vote]]s ("no" or "abstain" votes) that embarrass the party leadership.  Despite its symbolic nature, it maintains an important role because it is the occasion at which the results of these deliberations are publicly announced, and in which the PRC leadership faces both domestic and foreign reporters in a press conference.
Since the mid-1980s, the Communist Party has attempted to maintain a smooth and orderly succession and avoid a [[cult of personality]], by having a major shift in personnel every ten years in even-number party congresses, and by promoting people in preparation for this shift in odd-number party congresses.  These mechanisms have been institutionalized by mandatory retirement ages, and provisions in both the Party and state constitutions that limit the term of office of officials to two five-year terms.
=== Effects on incumbent leadership ===
Based on established convention, Hu Jintao was confirmed for another term as the party's General Secretary, setting the scene for his re-election as state [[President of the People's Republic of China|President]] at the [[National People's Congress]] in March 2008.  Wen Jiabao, too, retained his seat on the PSC and continued to serve as Premier.  In addition odd-number party congresses have also served as forums in which the top leadership has institutionalized their policy views as additions to party doctrine, in preparation for their retirement at the next party congress.  Hu's version of this doctrine is termed the [[Scientific Development Concept]] to develop a "[[socialist harmonious society]]", which followed [[Marxism-Leninism]], [[Mao Zedong Thought]], [[Deng Xiaoping Theory]] and the ''[[Three Represents]]'' as a guiding ideology in the Party's constitution.
=== Succession planning ===
More interesting and unpredictable were the selection of the younger cadres who will be promoted to the [[Politburo]], China's ''de facto'' ruling body. The youngest person currently on the [[Politburo]] prior to the congress was only two years younger than Hu, and consequently, there was widespread speculation that Hu's successor would not come from the members serving on the Politburo prior to the congress but rather from the next generation of leaders. Prior to the congress, speculation was rife on who would be named as Hu's successor. Although the subject of succession speculation is largely taboo within the mainland Chinese media, Hong Kong and Taiwan media, as well as international media, predicted that the top candidates would be [[Xi Jinping]] and [[Li Keqiang]], then serving as party chief in Shanghai and Liaoning, respectively.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}
=== Effects on lower party officials ===
In addition, as people at the top level of the party retire, there is room for younger members of the party to move up one level.  Hence the party congress is a time of a general personnel reshuffle, and the climax of negotiations that involve not only the top leadership but practically all significant political positions in Mainland China.  Notably, fifth-generation leadership hopefuls Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang will leave vacancies in the top leadership position of Shanghai and [[Liaoning]]. In addition, [[Hubei]], [[Guangdong]], [[Chongqing]] and possibly [[Tianjin]] will all go through regional leadership changes. Because of the pyramid structure of the party and the existence of mandatory retirement ages, cadres who are not promoted at a party congress are likely to face the end of their political careers. Current provincial-level officials see the Congress as a chance for promotion to Beijing. The Congress will also be significant in determining the amount of influence still held by former General secretary [[Jiang Zemin]], as reflected by the personnel changes.
Although Hong Kong has its separate political system, Congress is being watched closely by the [[Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China|Special Administrative Region]] as well. Hong Kong media has often been very vocal in speculation and in reporting events of the Congress. The political direction set by the decisions will have a large impact on the direction of Hong Kong's development in the coming years as well.
==Delegates==
2,213 delegates{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} were elected as delegates to the Congress through a series of staggered elections in which one level of the party elects delegates to the next higher party congress. An additional 57 veteran (mostly retired) communist leaders were appointed directly as delegates. This system has the effect that the party leadership through the [[Organization Department of the Chinese Communist Party]] can control elections and block the election of anyone it finds unacceptable.
The great majority of these are [[en cadre|cadre]]s, but about 30% are model workers, and there are about 20 private businesspeople.<ref name=reuters11 /> The number of candidates shortlisted by local Central Committees was 15% more than the number of delegates required, allowing local Party Congress members some degree of choice in the election. State media claimed this was "an improvement over past practices" (5% more in 1997 and 10% more in 2002), but noted heavy supervision of the election process by national Party authorities.<ref name=xinhua10 /> In addition, elected delegates had to be approved by the 17th Delegate Status Inspection Committee, and the National Central Committee reserved the right to "select some veteran Party members who have quit their leading posts to attend the upcoming Party congress as specially-invited delegates".<ref>[http://www.china.org.cn/english/government/220023.htm How Delegates to 17th CPC National Congress Elected?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011195354/http://china.org.cn/english/government/220023.htm |date=11 October 2007 }} (''[[People's Daily]] Online'', via China.org.cn)</ref>
Two prominent delegates are known to have died since the election finished in April 2007, Major-General Wang Shaojun, and former Vice-Premier [[Huang Ju]].<ref name=reuters11 />
==Elections and Work Reports==
Many party positions will be elected, including the following:
*The [[Politburo of the Communist Party of China|Politburo]] (about two dozen members elected by the Central Committee;<ref name=reuters11 /> expected to change about half its membership<ref name=cheng1>[http://www.jamestown.org/china_brief/article.php?articleid=2373282 Anticipating Chinese Leadership Changes at the 17th Party Congress] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011064627/http://jamestown.org/china_brief/article.php?articleid=2373282 |date=11 October 2007 }} Cheng Li ([[Jamestown Foundation]] ''China Brief'').</ref>), including its [[Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China|Standing Committee]]
*The wider [[Central Committee of the Communist Party of China|Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party]] (approximately 350 full and alternative members elected by the whole Congress;<ref name=reuters11>[http://uk.reuters.com/article/airNews/idUKPEK1815620070912 FACTBOX: China's 17th Communist Party Congress] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012102611/http://uk.reuters.com/article/airNews/idUKPEK1815620070912 |date=12 October 2007 }} (Reuters)</ref> about 60% to change)<ref name=cheng1 />
*The General Secretary
*[[Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party|Secretariat of the CCP Central Committee]]
*The [[Central Military Commission (People's Republic of China)|Central Military Commission]], include the [[Supreme Military Command of the People's Republic of China|Supreme Military Command]]
*The [[Discipline Inspection Commission of the Communist Party of China|Discipline Inspection Commission]]
===Central Committee election===
The election process was supervised by Secretariat Secretary [[Zeng Qinghong]], although he himself was not part of the new Central Committee.<ref name="at1" /> Most of those elected will take up the equivalent state positions after the [[National People's Congress]] in 2001, although key positions and existing vacancies on the [[State Council of the People's Republic of China|State Council]] may change before and during the Congress. In the Central Committee elections on 21 October 2008, the margin of dropped off candidates was 8.3%, a three-point percentage increase from last year. The increased percentage seems to signify greater "inner Party democracy", and increased power among the delegates (i.e., only 204 out of 221 candidates shortlisted for the Central Committee survived the electoral process).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dwnews.com/index.shtm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119022305/http://www.dwnews.com/index.shtm|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 January 2013|title=多维新闻网-读不尽的新闻 离不开的论坛|access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref> In the new central committee, 107 of the 204 members are new members.
===Hu Jintao's work report===
General Secretary Hu Jintao's keynote report was prepared by [[Wen Jiabao]].<ref name="at1" /> It was delivered to the first session of the Congress on 15 October 2007, and lasted well over two hours, and was broadcast on all major television and radio stations in the country. The event marked the first major live public address by Hu since taking over power in 2002. It laid heavy emphasis on Hu's ''Scientific Development Perspective'' as the current guiding ideology in succession to Deng Xiaoping Theory and the ''[[Three Represents]]'', with the goal of continuing ''Socialism with Chinese characteristics'' and eventual ''socialist harmonious society''.
Western media have generally concentrated on the lack of novelty with Hu's speech, citing that there was no references to political reform during the report. The Communist Party's grip on power is unlikely to waver for another period of time. Domestically, however, Hu's ideology is a novel addition to the current ideologies of the CCP, adding more of a populist focus, although the political rhetoric in the report was apparent. Hu stressed inner-party democracy, and repeated the word "democracy" 60 times in the speech according to [[Xinhua]]. In addition, Hu received applause a total of over 40 times, well over Jiang's record of 16 five years earlier.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www6.chinesenewsnet.com/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/2007_10_15_18_14_18_492.html|title=Chinesenewsnet.com|website=www6.chinesenewsnet.com|access-date=17 October 2007|archive-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216032235/http://www6.chinesenewsnet.com/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/2007_10_15_18_14_18_492.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
During the speech, former General secretary Jiang Zemin seemed very tired, was constantly yawning, and was not paying much attention. Jiang seldom talked to Wen Jiabao, who was sitting to his left. Wen was paying full attention to Hu's speech for its entire length. Hong Kong media noted that Jiang left the Great Hall without shaking anyone's hand and that no one came up to shake his.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://society.dwnews.com/news/2007-10-16/3375963.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119020739/http://society.dwnews.com/news/2007-10-16/3375963.html|url-status=dead|title=十七大主席台，中共领导四代同堂_多维新闻网|archive-date=19 January 2013|access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref> Surprisingly, Mao's successor [[Hua Guofeng]] also attended the Congress as a delegate. All the surviving members of the 14th and 15th PSC's were present, including former Premiers [[Li Peng]] and [[Zhu Rongji]], but with the exception of Jiang rival [[Qiao Shi]].
There were work reports from key party leaders and institutions, providing the Party's analysis of the previous quinquennium and its agenda for the next five years.<ref>Willy Lam ([[Jamestown Foundation]] ''China Brief'')</ref> It is possible that the speech will also answer calls for ''inner-party democracy'', i.e. decentralization within the one-party system.<ref name=reuters11 />
Regarding [[Taiwan]], Hu emphasized cultural, economic, and blood ties between the island and the People's Republic of China.<ref name=":Tsang&Cheung">{{Cite book |last1=Tsang |first1=Steve |author-link=Steve Chang |title=The Political Thought of Xi Jinping |last2=Cheung |first2=Olivia |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2024 |isbn=9780197689363}}</ref>{{Rp|page=170}} In doing so, Hu used the slogan, "an entity of common destiny linked by blood."<ref name=":Tsang&Cheung" />{{Rp|page=170}} This slogan was later adapted by Xi Jinping into the broader concept of the [[Community of Common Destiny|common destiny for humankind]].<ref name=":Tsang&Cheung" />{{Rp|page=170}}
===Press conference===
After the plenary sessions, there was a rare press conference by the Politburo Standing Committee. Newcomer Li Keqiang looked a bit stiff while Xi Jinping looked shy.<ref name=reuters11 />
[[Image:Great Hall of the People 1.JPG|thumb|right|The plenary sessions of the Congress will meet in the [[Great Hall of the People]]]]
==Issues before the Congress==
The Seventeenth National Congress made the negotiation of [[Free trade agreement|free trade agreements]] a priority, which accelerated the pace of China's bilateral free trade agreement negotiations.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Cheng |first=Wenting |title=China in Global Governance of Intellectual Property: Implications for Global Distributive Justice |publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]] |year=2023 |isbn=978-3-031-24369-1 |series=Palgrave Socio-Legal Studies series}}</ref>{{Rp|page=153}}
=== Timeline of other events ===
*September 2006: [[Politics of Shanghai|Shanghai Party chief]] [[Chen Liangyu]] is arrested on corruption charges. This is perceived as an attack on the [[Shanghai Gang]] by the Hu-Wen alliance.<ref name="scmp1">[http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:UKNB:CMPC&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=114C5FD7D566E5A8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=1054640702C8DBC0 Political cliques 'violate basic party principles': Government mouthpiece in veiled attack on 'Shanghai Gang'] Cary Huang (''[[South China Morning Post]]'')</ref>
*16 October: Xinhua carries an official commentary attacking "cliques" within the Party, perceived as a reference to the Shanghai clique.<ref name="scmp1" />
*February 2007: Party elder Li Rui and retired academic Xie Tao published articles calling for the CCP to become a European-style socialist party; their remarks were condemned by the Party propaganda apparatus.<ref name="lam2" />
*15 March: Prime Minister Wen Jiabao told foreign journalists he supported further political reform. The remarks were initially omitted from the official transcript, allegedly on the orders of hardline propaganda chief [[Li Changchun]].<ref name="lam4">[http://www.jamestown.org/china_brief/article.php?articleid=2373333 Striving for Balance: Assessing Recent Municipal and Provincial Leadership Changes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011073734/http://jamestown.org/china_brief/article.php?articleid=2373333 |date=11 October 2007 }} Willy Lam ([[Jamestown Foundation]]'s ''China Brief'')</ref>
*28 April: Academic [[Wan Gang]] becomes the first non-CCP minister in half a century, on being appointed Minister of Science and Technology <ref name="lam2">[http://www.jamestown.org/china_brief/article.php?articleid=2373400 Hu Jintao Battles the CCP's Crisis of Confidence] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011080657/http://jamestown.org/china_brief/article.php?articleid=2373400 |date=11 October 2007 }} Willy Lam ([[Jamestown Foundation]]'s ''China Brief'')</ref>
*25 June: In a major speech at the [[Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China|Central Party School]], General Secretary Hu announces the 'Four Steadfasts': an open-minded attitude, [[reform and opening up]], and a moderately well-off (''[[Moderately prosperous society|xiaokang]]'') society by 2020.<ref name="scmp3">This paragraph expanded from
[http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:UKNB:CMPC&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11BC19ED12DE42E0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=1054640702C8DBC0 Party charter set to include Hu's theories] Ting Shi (''South China Morning Post'' 2007)</ref> This repeated a goal previously set by Jiang at the [[16th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party|16th Party Congress]].<ref name=":022">{{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Craig A. |title=Afterlives of Chinese Communism: Political Concepts from Mao to Xi |date=2019 |publisher=[[Australian National University Press]] |isbn=9781760462499 |editor-last=Sorace |editor-first=Christian |location=Acton, Australia |chapter=Datong and Xiaokang |editor-last2=Franceschini |editor-first2=Ivan |editor-last3=Loubere |editor-first3=Nicholas}}</ref>{{Rp|page=66}}
*July: Chen Liangyu is formally convicted and expelled from the Party.
*Mid-August: Top CCP leaders discussed the Congress' decisions at their annual [[Beidaihe]] retreat. Some Hong Kong sources claim they decided the shortlists for the new Central Committee and Politburo,<ref name="at1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/II05Ad02.html|title=Balancing act at the party congress|access-date=7 September 2007|year=2003|author=Wu Zhong|work=Asia Times Online|url-status=unfit| archive-url= https://archive.today/20071011105317/http://atimes.com/atimes/China/II05Ad02.html| archive-date= 11 October 2007 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> while others argued that basic PSC positions were still up for grabs.<ref name="scmp4">[http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:UKNB:CMPC&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11B72817EF5AF878&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=1054640702C8DBC0 The date is set, now the guessing game is about the players] Wang Xiangwei (''[[South China Morning Post]]'' 2006)</ref>
*19 August: Five national newspapers run identical front pages ([https://web.archive.org/web/20071024204228/http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2007/08/one_editors_job_for_four_newspapers.php shown here]), all giving prominence to General secretary Hu.<ref name="wp10">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/24/AR2007082402008.html The Stars Align in China] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214310/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/24/AR2007082402008.html |date=3 March 2016 }} Xiao Qiang (''[[The Washington Post]]'')</ref>
*28 August: A Politburo meeting decides dates of the 17th Party Congress, and the final meeting of the 16th Central Committee.<ref name="xinhua2">[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-08/28/content_6619958.htm 17th CPC National Congress proposed to convene in mid October] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511145143/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-08/28/content_6619958.htm |date=11 May 2008 }} ([[Xinhua]], New China News Agency)</ref>
*30 August: A reshuffle promoted [[Meng Xuenong]], former mayor of Beijing and ''tuanpai'' politician, to Governor of Shanxi, whilst ousting Finance Minister [[Jin Renqing]], who was allegedly placed in detention.<ref>See articles on Meng and Jin.</ref> [[Zhang Qingwei]] become the PRC's youngest ever minister, becoming Chairman of the [[Commission for Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense]] after a career in the successful space programme.<ref name="jamestown2">[http://www.jamestown.org/china_brief/article.php?articleid=2373661 The Stars of China's Space Program: The Rise of a "Space Gang"?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011080702/http://jamestown.org/china_brief/article.php?articleid=2373661 |date=11 October 2007 }} Kevin Pollpeter ([[Jamestown Foundation]]'s ''China Brief'')</ref> [[Ma Wen]], deputy secretary of the [[Central Commission for Discipline Inspection]] (CCDI), added the Ministry of Supervision to her responsibilities.<ref name="xinhua10" />
*6 September: Ma Wen gained a third role as head of a newly created [[National Bureau of Corruption Prevention]]. Unlike the CCDI, this does not investigate individual cases and is a government, rather than Party, organ.<ref name="xinhua10">[http://www.gov.cn/english/2007-09/13/content_748148.htm China establishes national corruption prevention bureau] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519112905/http://www.gov.cn/english/2007-09/13/content_748148.htm |date=19 May 2011 }} ([[Xinhua]], [[New China News Agency]])</ref> This led to speculation that the Congress will highlight the Hu-Wen leadership's anti-corruption drive.<ref name="afp1">[http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h1fqQP162Qg16MYNFiyOjK0S63ow China names head of new anti-graft body] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520105014/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h1fqQP162Qg16MYNFiyOjK0S63ow |date=20 May 2011 }} ([[Agence France-Presse]])</ref>
*Mid-September: The [[Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China|Ministry of Public Security]] conducted the largest [[Internet censorship in the People's Republic of China|crackdown]] on Web sites and data hosts in history a month before the event.<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB118971637019026752 No Bloggers in China, Please] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218054520/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB118971637019026752 |date=18 December 2018 }} (''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', payment required)</ref>
*18 September: State media announced that the Politburo had submitted an amendment to the CCP Constitution that would entrench Hu's "[[Scientific Development Concept]]" ideology alongside the theories of [[Marxism-Leninism]], [[Mao Zedong Thought]], [[Deng Xiaoping Theory]] and Jiang Zemin's [[Three Represents]]. The announcement stressed the role of General Secretary Hu and phrases associated with him.<ref>[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/17/content_6741184.htm Communist Party of China to amend Party Constitution] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016075039/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/17/content_6741184.htm |date=16 October 2007 }} ([[Xinhua]], New China News Agency)</ref>
*19 September: Petitioners in Beijing's [[Fengtai District]] ordered to move from their homes due to construction work for the 17th Party Congress;<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7002082.stm 'Deadline up for China petitioners'] ([[BBC]])</ref> the work was completed by 26 September.<ref name="ap10">[https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/nation_world/20070927_Beijing_knocks_down_houses_of_petitioners.html Beijing Knocks Down Petitioners' Houses] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018141203/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/nation_world/20070927_Beijing_knocks_down_houses_of_petitioners.html |date=18 October 2019 }} Alexa Olesen ([[Associated Press|AP]] 27 September 2007)</ref>
*19 September: In a move predicted by the Hong Kong press,<ref name="scmp4" /> [[Ling Jihua]], a ''tuanpai'' member and Hu ally, replaced [[Wang Gang (politician)|Wang Gang]] as director of the Central Committee's General Office.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/19/asia/AS-GEN-China-Politics.php 'Chinese president elevates aide in show of strength ahead of Communist Party congress'] (''[[International Herald Tribune]]'')</ref>
*21 September: A ''[[People's Daily]]'' commentary heralded "new good tidings from Shanghai", adding to speculation that Shanghai chief Xi Jinping was headed for promotion, as the Shanghai Party emerged from the Chen Liangyu scandal.<ref name="iht2">[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/21/asia/AS-POL-China-Shanghai.php China's Communist Party mouthpiece lauds Shanghai in boost for new leader] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201180715/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/21/asia/AS-POL-China-Shanghai.php |date=1 December 2008 }} ([[Associated Press|AP]] via ''International Herald Tribune'')</ref>
*27 September: U.S.-based [[Duowei]] reported that [[Wu Bangguo]] had undergone cancer surgery.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www6.chinesenewsnet.com/MainNews/Forums/BackStage/2007_9_27_9_55_8_765.html|title=Chinesenewsnet.com|website=www6.chinesenewsnet.com|access-date=27 September 2007|archive-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216032659/http://www6.chinesenewsnet.com/MainNews/Forums/BackStage/2007_9_27_9_55_8_765.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The same day, he made his first public appearance since 31 August.<ref name="xinhua12">[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/28/content_6804333.htm Top Chinese legislator makes proposals on China, Russian parliamentary co-op] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105173038/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/28/content_6804333.htm |date=5 November 2007 }} ([[Xinhua]])</ref>
*29 September: Wu Bangguo was noticeably not present at the Politburo meeting as broadcast by ''[[Xinwen Lianbo]]'', while all other Politburo Standing Committee members were given camera time. Also unconventional was the fact that no Politburo Standing Committee members were named except for Hu Jintao.<ref>Xinwen Lianbo: 29 September, lead story.</ref>
*1 October: Hu Jintao visits Shanghai during [[National Day]], a day after all eight PSC members attended a National Day banquet in Beijing. The move is seen as an affirmation of Shanghai and symbolizes the unity between Shanghai and the central leadership. Hu is also to open the [[Special Olympics]] there.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/sports/2007-10/02/content_6823234.htm|title=Xinhuanet: Hu Jintao in Shanghai|access-date=2 October 2007|archive-date=10 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010211457/http://news.xinhuanet.com/sports/2007-10/02/content_6823234.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*4 October: ''Duowei'' makes their final predictions on the nine members of the new politburo. Namely, in order ranking, they are Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, [[Xi Jinping]], [[Li Keqiang]], [[He Guoqiang]] and [[Zhou Yongkang]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www6.chinesenewsnet.com/MainNews/Forums/BackStage/2007_10_4_0_21_44_653.html|title=Chinesenewsnet.com|website=www6.chinesenewsnet.com|access-date=4 October 2007|archive-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216032825/http://www6.chinesenewsnet.com/MainNews/Forums/BackStage/2007_10_4_0_21_44_653.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*9 October: The 7th Plenum of the 16th Central Committee meets to finalize the agenda for the Congress. A key decision involving the entrenchment of Hu's ''Scientific Development Concept'' and ''[[Socialist Harmonious Society]]'' has taken place with discussions from delegates of the 16th Central Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2007-10/09/content_6850967.htm|title=Xinhuanet: 7th Plenum held|access-date=9 October 2007|archive-date=11 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011194317/http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2007-10/09/content_6850967.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*14 October: Taiwan-based ''[[China Times]]'' announces their final speculative shortlist for the PSC. The list is identical to Duowei's shortlist 10 days earlier.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www6.chinesenewsnet.com/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/2007_10_13_16_44_50_185.html|title=Chinesenewsnet.com|website=www6.chinesenewsnet.com|access-date=14 October 2007|archive-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216032640/http://www6.chinesenewsnet.com/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/2007_10_13_16_44_50_185.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==The leadership lineup==
Hong Kong, Taiwan, and overseas media often speculate on the makeup of the leadership months before Congress takes place. During the [[16th Party Congress (China)|16th Party Congress]], the speculation two months prior to the Congress on the nine members of the [[Politburo Standing Committee]] (PSC) were entirely accurate.{{Citation needed|date=September 2007}}
<!-- Suggested order for speculation: sourced items before unsourced items, then in rank order of position/policy contested, as in [[Political position ranking of the People's Republic of China]] -->
===Leaving the Politburo===
*[[Zeng Qinghong]], CCP Secretariat Secretary, Vice-President, ranked 5th in Politburo Standing Committee, is out of the 17th Central Committee, likely due to age. Zeng's departure also signals the solidification of Hu Jintao's power.
*[[Wu Guanzheng]], anti-corruption chief, ranked 7th in PSC, due to age.
*[[Luo Gan]], Political and Legislative Affairs Committee Secretary, ranked 9th in the PSC, due to age.
*[[Wu Yi (politician)|Wu Yi]], Vice-Premier, China's "iron-lady", the only woman in the 16th Politburo, due to age.
*[[Zeng Peiyan]], Vice-Premier, ranked 3rd, due to age.
*[[Cao Gangchuan]], Minister of Defence, due to age.
===Politburo Standing Committee===
The newly formed [[Politburo Standing Committee]] consisted of (in order ranking) [[Hu Jintao]], [[Wu Bangguo]], [[Wen Jiabao]], [[Jia Qinglin]], [[Li Changchun]], from the 16th Central Committee, in addition to four newcomers:
*Shanghai party chief [[Xi Jinping]], 54
*Liaoning party chief [[Li Keqiang]], 52
*CCP Organization Department head [[He Guoqiang]], 64
*Minister of Public Security [[Zhou Yongkang]], 65
===The Politburo===
The Politburo is made of a wider range of cadres whose average age is generally younger than that of the PSC, some of whom slated for promotion at the [[18th Party Congress (China)|18th Party Congress]]. It has been noted that the Politburo is a power balance between Hu's ''tuanpai'', Jiang's Shanghai clique, and the [[Crown Prince Party]].
''In stroke order of surnames''
*[[Xi Jinping]], Top-ranked Secretary of [[CPC Secretariat|CCP Secretariat]], [[Vice-President of the People's Republic of China|Vice-President]], Vice-Chairman of the [[Central Military Commission (China)|Central Military Commission]], President of the [[Central Party School]]
*[[Wang Gang (politician)|Wang Gang]], Vice-Chair of [[CPPCC]] National Committee
*[[Wang Lequan]], Party chief of Xinjiang, later Deputy Secretary of the [[Political and Legislative Affairs Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee|Political and Legislative Affairs Committee]]
*[[Wang Zhaoguo]], Vice-Chairman of [[National People's Congress]], Chair of the [[All-China Federation of Trade Unions]]
*[[Wang Qishan]], Vice-Premier
*[[Hui Liangyu]], Vice-Premier
*[[Liu Qi (politician, born 1942)|Liu Qi]], Party chief of Beijing, head of [[2008 Summer Olympics|Beijing Olympics]] organizing committee
*[[Liu Yunshan]], Secretary of CCP Central Secretariat, Head of the [[Propaganda Department of the Communist Party of China|CCP Propaganda Department]]
*[[Liu Yandong]], [[State Councilor]]
*[[Li Changchun]], Chairman of the [[Central Guidance Commission for Building Spiritual Civilization of the Communist Party of China|Central Guidance Commission for Building Spiritual Civilization]]
*[[Li Keqiang]], First [[Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China|Vice-Premier]]
*[[Li Yuanchao]], Secretary in CCP Central Secretariat, [[Organization Department of the Communist Party of China|CCP Organization Department]] head
*[[Wu Bangguo]], [[Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress]]
*[[Wang Yang (official)|Wang Yang]], Party chief of [[Guangdong]]
*[[Zhang Gaoli]], Party chief of [[Tianjin]]
*[[Zhang Dejiang]], Vice-Premier, Party chief of [[Chongqing]]
*[[Zhou Yongkang]], Secretary of the [[Central Politics and Law Commission of the Communist Party of China|Political and Legislative Affairs Committee]]
*[[Hu Jintao]], [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of China|CCP General Secretary]], [[President of the People's Republic of China|PRC President]], [[Chairman of the Central Military Commission (China)|Chairman of the Central Military Commission]]
*[[Yu Zhengsheng]], Party chief of [[Shanghai]]
*[[He Guoqiang]], [[Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection]]
*[[Jia Qinglin]], [[Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference]]
*[[Xu Caihou]], Vice-Chairman of Central Military Commission
*[[Guo Boxiong]], Vice-Chairman of Central Military Commission
*[[Wen Jiabao]], [[Premier of the People's Republic of China|Premier of the State Council]]
*[[Bo Xilai]], Party chief of [[Chongqing]], ''[[Bo Xilai#Downfall|Dismissed April 2012]]''
===Other Politburo places===
*Central Committee bureaucrat [[Wang Gang (politician)|Wang Gang]] is expected to become a figurehead on the NPC or CPPCC (and implicitly a Politburo member), although he has an outside chance of a PSC place.<ref name="scmp4" />
*[[Wang Zhaoguo]] is Wu Bangguo's deputy at the NPC and Hu's former boss in the CYL. He has recently been considered to have an outside chance of a PSC place, given his age.<ref name="scmp4" />
===Regional Positions===
*Minister of Commerce [[Bo Xilai]], after some reluctance following the Congress, took over as [[Chongqing]] Party Chief.
*Hubei Party chief [[Yu Zhengsheng]] took over Shanghai as the municipality's Communist Party secretary.
*Chongqing Party chief [[Wang Yang (politician)|Wang Yang]] took over as Guangdong Party chief.
*Beijing Mayor [[Wang Qishan]] left his municipal post to become Vice-Premier.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www6.chinesenewsnet.com/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/2007_10_13_19_16_16_342.html|title=Chinesenewsnet.com|website=www6.chinesenewsnet.com|access-date=17 October 2007|archive-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216032657/http://www6.chinesenewsnet.com/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/2007_10_13_19_16_16_342.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Central Military Commission positions===
*[[Chen Bingde]] may have already replaced [[Liang Guanglie]] as the PLA's [[Chief of General Staff (People's Republic of China)|Chief of General Staff]].<ref name=afp11>[http://www.straitstimes.com/print/Latest+News/Asia/STIStory_160402.html China's General Chen Bingde appointed to key military post] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211155041/http://www.straitstimes.com/print/Latest+News/Asia/STIStory_160402.html |date=11 December 2007 }} ([[Agence France-Presse|AFP]] via the ''[[Straits Times]]'')</ref>
===Ministerial positions===
*Early speculation suggested a wide field for Vice-Premier responsible for the economy, namely [[National Development and Reform Commission]] (NDRC) chief [[Ma Kai]], [[SASAC]] chief [[Kelin Ding]], [[People's Bank of China|PBoC]] chief [[Zhou Xiaochuan]], [[MOFCOM]] chief [[Bo Xilai]], [[State Council of the People's Republic of China|State Council]] official [[Lou Jiwei]], [[List of mayors of Beijing|Beijing Mayor]] [[Wang Qishan]], [[Tianjin]] Mayor [[Dai Xianglong]], [[Politics of Shanghai|Shanghai Mayor]] [[Han Zheng]] and [[Chongqing]] Party chief [[Wang Yang (politician)|Wang Yang]].<ref name=cheng1 />
*Former Shanxi Governor [[Yu Youjun]] is tipped for [[Minister of Culture]].<ref name="scmp2">{{cite news | author=Cary Huang| title=Hu protege resurrected ahead of congress| newspaper=South China Morning Post| date=1 September 2007| url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:UKNB:CMPC&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11B67F5531C4D840&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=1054640702C8DBC0| access-date= 20 September 2007 }}{{dead link|date=September 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
*State council positions will be confirmed at the [[2008 National People's Congress]].
==See also==
*[[History of the People's Republic of China (2002–present)]]
*[[Li Lianyu]], a local official who mobilized a mass welcoming ceremony for himself upon his return from the 17th Party Congress
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094405/http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/09/0920_china_shakeup/index_01.htm Shakeup in Beijing: Who's In, Who's Out] Chi-Chu Tschang (''[[Business Week]]'')
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071008225213/http://www.brookings.edu/comm/events/20070412.htm The 17th Party Congress and Beyond]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160120003543/http://www.17thcongress.org.cn/ Official Website of the 17th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party]
*[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/china_17thcongress_page.html China Daily]
{{National meetings of the Chinese Communist Party}}
{{Authority control}}
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