New leaders, economic plans in China as key Congress ends

BEIJING (AFP) - China's Communist Party on Sunday endorsed Hu Jintao's new economic model for the country, while opening the way for a top leadership reshuffle that will likely see the president consolidate his power.

Following the end of its five-yearly Congress, Hu, 64, is almost certain to be given a second term as party chief on Monday alongside a revamped line-up of leaders in the nation's most powerful political organ.

That body, the party's Standing Committee of the Politburo, currently has nine members but will see as many as four new faces in Monday's reshuffle, following the complex political events that took place at the Congress.

Hu gave a glowing assessment of the week-long gathering, which brought more than 2,200 top cadres to Beijing, to outline the party's goals for the next five years, as well as finalise the leadership manoeuvrings.

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