BEIJING
Xi Jinping, China's president for the next ten years replacing Hu Jintao, has given a message of "mutual understanding between the world and China."
Former Vice President Xi was announced to be the Secretary General of the ruling Communist Party (CPC) at the press conference held after the historic congress of the party.
The new members of the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) were also named at the congress but the number of members went down to 7 from 9.
Xi and Vice-Premier Li Keqian -- who is expected to succeed Wen Jiabao as prime minister -- Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang, Shanghai Party Secretary Yu Zhengsheng, Propaganda Chief Liu Yunshan, Vice Premier Wang Qishan, and Tianjin Party Secretary Zhang Gaoli are announced as the new members of the committee.
In a speech broadcast live on Chinese state TV and worldwide, Xi said "China should understand the world better and the world should understand China better."
He said his mission was to "make the Chinese nation stronger and more powerful." He said there were many pressing problems within the party that need to be resolved, particularly corruption, adding that they must make every effort to solve those problems.
The ascent of Xi and Li, who are expected to take over the presidency and premiership respectively on March, represents a generational change.
The new agenda of the new leaders is expected to be the focus on economic reform and the goal of a prosperous society.
