Curtain raiser: Xi Jinping appointed CPC secretary-general ahead of national congress

A preparatory meeting of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) appointed vice-president Xi Jinping as secretary-general of the five-yearly event on Wednesday, a spokesperson said.

The agenda for the CPC congress was decided at the preparatory meeting Wednesday afternoon, said spokesperson Cai Mingzhao, Xinhua reported. Xi is expected to replace President Hu Jintao as party chief in a once-a-decade power transition.

The agenda for the national congress included issues such as to hear and examine the report submitted by the 17th CPC Central Committee, examining the report on the work of Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, deliberating and adopting the amendment to the party's constitution and to elect the party's 18th Central Committee and Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

President Hu Jintao presided over the meeting, attended by 2,280 party delegates and specially invited delegates. There are a total of 2,325 delegates and specially invited delegates to the 18th Party congress. A 22-member delegate credentials committee was approved at the meeting. A presidium of the congress consisting of 247 members was also approved.

Those attending the meeting also approved the organisational setup and tasks of the secretariat of the congress. The presidium of the congress had its first meeting Wednesday afternoon. Hu Jintao was present and delivered a speech. Presided over by Xi Jinping, secretary-general of the congress, the meeting approved a list of the presidium's 41-member Standing Committee including Hu Jintao.

The congress will open at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing at 9am on Thursday and last seven days till November 14.