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Chinese politics & policy

The Chinese Communist party congress — in pictures

Red umbrellas, a brass band, delegates in all their finery — and the men running the Asian powerhouse

A security agent takes position at the Great Hall of the People during the opening session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, China October 18, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas Peter — © Reuters

Communist party delegates have gathered at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to hear Xi Jinping, China’s president, set out plans for the next five years.

epaselect epa06272494 Chinese stewardesses carry umbrellas during rain before the opening ceremony of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the Great Hall of the People (GHOP) in Beijing, China, 18 October 2017. China holds the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China, the country's most important political event where the party's leadership is chosen and plans are made for the next five years. Xi Jinping is expected to remain as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China for another five-year term. EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY — © Roman Pilipey/EPA

Communist party stewards prepare to protect delegates from the rain

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 18: A Chinese military band plays after the speech of Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the opening session of the 19th Communist Party Congress held at The Great Hall Of The People on October 18, 2017 in Beijing, China. The Communist Party Congress happens only twice in a decade, and provides a glimpse into the world of Chinese politics. For Xi Jinping, the week-long event is a confirmation of his power as Party leader and China's president. Xi's speech to the 2300 delegates in the Great Hall of the People was both optimistic and cautionary, and vowed that Chinese socialism was entering a 'new era'. Xi's control of the Party and the country is almost irrefutable, as he consolidated power during his first five year term and is believed to have widespread popularity.(Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) — © Kevin Frayer/Getty

A Chinese military band strikes up at the start of the gathering

Security personnel take their positions at the Great Hall of the People during the opening session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, China October 18, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj — © Damir Sagolj/Reuters

Security personnel show their military bearing as they take their positions

Delegates, some wearing ethnic minority outfits, arrive at the opening of the 19th Communist Party Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 18, 2017. President Xi Jinping declared China is entering a "new era" of challenges and opportunities on October 18 as he opened a Communist Party congress expected to enhance his already formidable power. / AFP PHOTO / NICOLAS ASFOURINICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/Getty Images — © Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty

Delegates, some representing ethnic minorities, take their seats

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 18: Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) shake hands China's former president Jiang Zemin (R) at the opening session of the Chinese Communist Party's Congress at the Great Hall of the People on October 18, 2017 in Beijing, China. The 19th Communist Party Congress will convene from October 18-24. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) — © Lintao Zhang/Getty

President Xi Jinping, left, greets former president Jiang Zemin

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 18: Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) talk with Hu Jintao, China's former president (L) duirng the opening session of the Chinese Communist Party's Congress at the Great Hall of the People on October 18, 2017 in Beijing, China. The 19th Communist Party Congress will convene from October 18-24. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) — © Lintao Zhang/Getty

President Xi, right, chats with his predecessor, Hu Jintao

epa06272621 Chinese President Xi Jinping (front L), former president Jiang Zemin (front 2-L), Premier Li Keqiang (front 3-L) and delegates stand in silence for a minute to commemorate past revolutionaries during the opening ceremony of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the Great Hall of the People (GHOP) in Beijing, China, 18 October 2017. China holds the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China, the country's most important political event where the party's leadership is chosen and plans are made for the next five years. Xi Jinping is expected to remain as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China for another five-year term. EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG — © HOW HWEE YOUNG How Hwee Young/EPA

Delegates observe a minute’s silence for past revolutionaries

Chinese President Xi Jinping bows before delivering his speech during the opening session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China October 18, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas Peter — © Thomas Peter/Reuters

Mr Xi bows before his opening address

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China October 18, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Lee — © Jason Lee/Reuters

His speech lasted almost four hours

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 18: A general view of the Great Hall of the People as Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during the opening session of the 19th Communist Party Congress on October 18, 2017 in Beijing, China. The 19th Communist Party Congress will convene from October 18-24. (Photo byBEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 18: Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) shake hands China's former president Jiang Zemin (R) at the opening session of the Chinese Communist Party's Congress at the Great Hall of the People on October 18, 2017 in Beijing, China. The 19th Communist Party Congress will convene from October 18-24. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)y Images) — © Lintao Zhang/Getty

The Great Hall of the People, packed for the president’s opening address

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 18: China's former president Jiang Zemin reads a document while he attends the opening session of the Chinese Communist Party's Congress at the Great Hall of the People on October 18, 2017 in Beijing, China. The 19th CPC National Congress is going to run 7 days and a new central committee of CPC will be produced. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) — © Lintao Zhang/Getty

Mr Jiang gives a document his close attention

epa06272484 Chinese military delegates leave after the opening ceremony of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the Great Hall of the People (GHOP) in Beijing, China, 18 October 2017. China holds the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China, the country's most important political event where the party's leadership is chosen and plans are made for the next five years. Xi Jinping is expected to remain as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China for another five-year term. EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY — © Roman Pilipey/AFP

Military delegates in good cheer after the opening ceremony

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