China is set to unveil the new leaders who will rule for the next decade.
Xi Jinping has been confirmed as the man chosen to lead China for the next decade.
Early on Thursday, selected Communist Party delegates will endorse the new Politburo Standing Committee - the highest decision-making body.
Mr Xi led the new Politburo Standing Committee out onto the stage at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, signalling his elevation to the top of China's ruling Communist Party.
The committee line-up will then be made public at 1100 (0300GMT), when leaders walk out in order of seniority.
He replaces Hu Jintao, under whose administration China has seen a decade of extraordinary growth.
Vice-President Xi Jinping is set to succeed outgoing leader Hu Jintao as party chief. Vice-Premier Li Keqiang is also on course for a top-level post.
The move marks the official passing of power from one generation to the next.
It is not yet clear who will fill the other spaces on the committee or indeed how many spaces there will be.
Mr Xi was followed by Li Keqiang, the man set to succeed Premier Wen Jiabao, and five other men - meaning that the size of the Standing Committee had been reduced from nine to seven.
Recent months have seen speculation that the committee could be reduced from nine to seven members.
Those five, in order of seniority, were Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang, Shanghai party boss Yu Zhengsheng, propaganda chief Liu Yunshan, Vice-Premier Wang Qishan and Tianjin party boss Zhang Gaoli.
Front-runners include Vice-Premier Wang Qishan, propaganda chief Liu Yunshan, party organisation chief Li Yuanchao, Tianjin party boss Zhang Gaoli and Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang.
The new leaders had great responsibilities, Mr Xi said, but their mission was to be united, and to lead the party and the people to make the Chinese nation stronger and more powerful.
Guangdong party chief Wang Yang, Shanghai party boss Yu Zhengsheng and the only female politburo member, Liu Yandong, are also thought to be in contention.
"The people's desire for a better life is what we shall fight for," he said.
Although the Central Committee delegates - elected before the week-long party congress closed on Wednesday - will vote for the new Standing Committee, in reality the selection will have been made ahead of time.
Corruption had to be addressed, he said, and better party discipline was needed. But the new leaders would strive to deliver a good performance in the eyes of the people and the eyes of history.
'Source of strength'
The new Standing Committee was endorsed in a vote early on Thursday by the new party Central Committee, but in reality the decisions had been made in advance.
The move marks a generational shift in the party's top ranks - the new leaders will be mostly in their late 50s.
The new leaders will gradually take over in the next few months, with Hu Jintao's presidency formally coming to an end at the annual parliament session in March 2013.
They will gradually take over in the next few months, with Hu Jintao's presidency formally coming to an end at the annual parliament session in March 2013.
Mr Xi has also been named chairman of the Central Military Commission, a Xinhua news agency report said, ending uncertainty over whether that post would be transferred from Hu Jintao immediately.
The Communist Party will also announce on Thursday whether Mr Hu will retain control of the Central Military Commission or pass it on to Mr Xi. Mr Hu's predecessor, Jiang Zemin, held on to the post for two years after he stood down from the party leadership.
Mr Hu's predecessor, Jiang Zemin, held on to the post for two years after he stood down from the party leadership.
Mr Hu has been the Communist Party chief since he led the Standing Committee line-up out on stage in November 2002.
Under his administration China has seen a decade of extraordinary growth, overtaking Japan as the world's second-largest economy.
But the development has been uneven, leading to a widening wealth gap, environmental challenges and rumbling social discontent over inequality and corruption.
On Wednesday, a party congress resolution hailed achievements under Mr Hu, saying China had seized "the important period of strategic opportunities" for development.
Centralised party leadership was "the source of its strength and a fundamental guarantee for China's economic and social development", it emphasised.
Mr Xi, a former Shanghai party chief, was appointed to the politburo in 2007.
Mr Xi, a former Shanghai party chief, was appointed to the politburo in 2007.
A "princeling" - a relative of one of China's revolutionary elders - he has spent almost four decades in the Communist Party, serving in top posts in both Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, as well as Shanghai.
A "princeling" - a relative of one of China's revolutionary elders - he has spent almost four decades in the Communist Party, serving in top posts in both Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, as well as Shanghai.
He is said to be a protégé of Jiang Zemin, while Li Keqiang is said to have been Mr Hu's preferred successor.
The 59-year-old is said to be a protégé of Jiang Zemin, while Li Keqiang is said to have been Mr Hu's preferred successor.
Analysts say there has been division at the very top of the leadership in the lead-up to the party congress, with two rival factions jostling for position and influence.
The transition process has also been complicated by the scandal that engulfed Chongqing party leader Bo Xilai - a powerful high-flier once seen as a strong contender for the top leadership. His wife has been jailed for murdering a British businessman and he looks set to face trial on a raft of corruption-related charges.
That notwithstanding, the power transition process has been orderly, for only the second time in 60 years of Communist Party rule.
"The ostensible lack of drama throughout the week-long session may disappoint sensation seekers," China Daily said in an editorial on Thursday.
"But the confidence in continuity, instead of revolutionary ideas and dramatic approaches, means a better tomorrow is attainable."
Are you in China, or are you Chinese living abroad? How do you feel about the leadership change? You can get in touch using the form below:
Are you in China, or are you Chinese living abroad? How do you feel about the leadership change? You can get in touch using the form below:
