In Pictures: The 19th Communist Party Congress

China's Communist Party opened a twice-a-decade congress on Wednesday (Oct 18). The country's most important political event, where the party's leadership is chosen and plans are made for the next five years, has captured global attention.

Updated

Published

October 19, 2017 at 10:26 AM

Ushers managing umbrellas used by delegates arriving for the opening session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

A security agent taking 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 on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

Chinese minority delegates wearing traditional costumes arriving for the opening ceremony of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Members of the media are seen during the opening ceremony of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Chinese security guards looking at military delegates during the speech of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Communist Party's 19th Congress in Beijing on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

Delegates, some wearing ethnic minority outfits, listening to an address by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the opening of the 19th Communist Party Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

Chinese stewardesses preparing tea flasks for delegates before the opening ceremony of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Ushers posing for photos at Tiananmen Square during the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

Chinese college students waving national flags as they watch the opening of the 19th Communist Party Congress in Huaibei in the country's eastern Anhui province on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin holding a magnifying glass while reading a document during the opening ceremony of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Front row, from left: Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhang Dejiang, former Chinese President Hu Jintao, Chinese President Xi Jinping, former President Jiang Zemin, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, at the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

A security agent gesturing as delegates leave the Great Hall of the People after the opening session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Beijing on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

Cars are parked at the Great Hall of the People during the opening session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Beijing on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

Security personnel taking 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 on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

Delegates leaving after the opening ceremony of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

People watching a broadcast of Chinese President Xi Jinping delivering his speech during the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, on a giant outdoor screen in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

Chinese security guards sweeping water at the start of the Communist Party's 19th Congress in Beijing on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

Chinese minority delegates wearing traditional costumes arriving for the opening ceremony of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

A delegate wearing traditional costume preparing for the opening session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct 18, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

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