Xi consolidates grip on CPC, attends national congress of CYLC

China's new leadership headed by President Xi Jinping has further consolidated its grip on ruling CPC by holding the national congress of the influential Communist Youth League of China, which produced top leaders in the past.
Xi and Premier Li Keqiang today attended the 17th Congress of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC), a 91-year-old mass youth organisation which has 89 million members.
More than 1,500 CYLC delegates from across the country attended the opening session of the five-yearly congress being held in the Great Hall of the People where the CPC held its 18th Congress last November to elect the once-in-a-decade leadership.

Xi along with Li replaced President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao and other senior leaders.
CYLC was regarded as a key faction in the Communist Party of China, which was previously headed by Hu.
Li who hold the rank of number two leader in the new CPC dispensation was product of the CYLC.

Xi, who turned 60 two days ago, quickly emerged as the top leader consolidating his hold on the Party as General Secretary and head of the military and President.
Observers say Xi has overshadowed all his fellow leaders in the seven member Standing Committee of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, including Li, to emerge as the most powerful leader, contrary to his predecessor Hu, who worked in more of collective leadership of the party.

Expected to stay as the top leader of China for the next ten years, Xi was expected to further consolidate his position in the CYLC which contained a number of Hu loyalists in the past.
In a keynote speech, Standing Committee member Liu Yunshan asked the youth to work hard to realise the "Chinese dream" of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
He expressed hope that the youth will follow instructions made by Xi and strive to improve their skills and morality.
Young people should continue to "consolidate their belief in the socialist path, theories and system with Chinese characteristics" and aim to become "advancers, explorers and contributors" in the realisation of the Chinese dream, the official said.