China's ruling Communist Party yesterday declared President Xi Jinping the "core" of its leadership, elevating his power status to a level enjoyed by past strongmen such as Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.
The title, given in a communique after a four-day meeting of top party officials, indicates a substantial consolidation of power by Mr Xi ahead of a key party congress next year, at which a big shake-up will occur in the Politburo Standing Committee - the pinnacle of power in China.
Other key outcomes include revisions to a code of political conduct and a set of intra-party supervision regulations, both targeting high-ranking cadres, even those in the apex Politburo Standing Committee.
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