Xi Jinping

That loyal inner circle has not only strengthened Xi's hold on power - but also tightened his grip over China's future. To an extent unseen in decades, the country's trajectory is shaped by the vision and ambition of one man, with minimal room for discord or recalibration at the party's apex of power, CNN reported.

The Central Committee, with around 200 full members, reports to the 25-member Politburo (now reduced to 24 members), which is headed by the Politburo Standing Committee. All these bodies have majority of Xi's men (No women).

On Sunday the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) unveiled its Politburo Standing Committee, with Xi re-elected as general secretary, the BBC reported. Observers say the line-up, handpicked by Xi, shows he prizes loyalty over expertise and experience, BBC reported. No other party leader besides CCP founder Mao Zedong has ever served a third term.

Having ruled China for 10 years already, he will now stay on for at least another five-year term - and he could, in theory, make himself leader for life, Sky News reported. The break with tradition makes him the most powerful leader in China since Chairman Mao and his vision has become increasingly unchallengeable.

"On the road ahead, no matter high winds, choppy waters, or even dangerous storms, the people will always be our most solid support and strongest confidence," he said - adding, "The world today faces unprecedented challenges," CNN reported. Xi has formally stepped into his third term ruling China, paving the way for "lifelong" rule. Xi has unveiled the other six members of the Standing Committee.

Xi was elected general secretary of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the committee's first plenary session, according to a communique, Xinhua news agency reported. The session, presided over by Xi, was attended by 203 members of the 20th CPC Central Committee and 168 alternate members. Xi was also named chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission at the session.

On Saturday, the CCP congress approved amendments to its constitution, including the so-called "Two Establishes" and "Two Safeguards", aimed at enshrining Xi as being at the core of the party and his political thought as its underpinning ideology, the Guardian reported. A list of reappointed delegates also confirmed premier Li Keqiang would be retiring from politics, as well as several other senior party figures.

Foreign Policy was the first Western media outlet to report that "banners featuring defiant political messages and sharp criticism of Chinese President Xi Jinping briefly dangled from an overpass in Beijing, in a rare � and dangerous � expression of dissent just days before China's 20th Party Congress on Sunday".

The 20th Party congress is expected to connect the dots, and unveil practical incremental steps for the next five years to help achieve the grand strategic goals framed by the second centenary goal. During the course of the 20th Party Congress, Xi Jinping is expected to further consolidate his hold over the 86 million strong CPC by handpicking a new leadership line up.

Photos circulating on Twitter showed two banners hung on an overpass of a major thoroughfare in the northwest of the Chinese capital, reports CNN. "Say no to Covid test, yes to food. No to lockdown, yes to freedom. No to lies, yes to dignity. No to cultural revolution, yes to reform. No to great leader, yes to vote. Don't be a slave, be a citizen," reads one banner.