Chinese President Xi Jinping's 'pen' and 'sword' set to emerge from the shadows

Mr Xi Jinping is expected to further consolidate power at the quinquennial congress amid a sweeping reshuffle of the party's top leadership and the military top brass. PHOTO: REUTERS
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BEIJING - English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton coined in 1839 the adage, "The pen is mightier than the sword."

For Chinese President Xi Jinping, his pen ("bi gan zi" in Chinese) and his sword ("qiang gan zi" literally meaning "gun barrel") are of equal importance, but have been hitherto inconspicuous.

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