China completes largest state leadership transition of last decade (3)

Analysts say the transfer bears testimony to a distinguishing feature of socialist democracy in China that integrates the leadership of the CPC and the position of the people as masters of the country and the rule of law.

This integration is crucial because it can ensure that the people's congress can make decisions and laws based on the country's fundamental, long-term and overall interests, they say.

The CPC Central Committee made an overall consideration when arranging the personnel changeover at the 18th CPC National Congress and recommended candidates for state leaders to the ongoing legislative session's presidium.

Besides strict political and professional qualifications, the CPC Central Committee had also considered whether the candidates would meet the requirements of the positions and improve the leadership's lineup, said Liu Yunshan, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, at a presidium meeting held on Tuesday.

At the meeting, the presidium decided to table candidate lists for the state leadership to NPC delegations for discussion and consultation. Based on a majority opinion from feedback, the presidium determined the final candidate lists, which were later presented to full sessions for a vote. A given candidate needs over half of all votes to be elected or endorsed.

The new leadership will run a central government that was streamlined at the legislative session. Under a previously approved cabinet restructuring plan, the number of ministries will fall from 27 to 25, while several departments and agencies will be reorganized.