Xi Jinping's power plays set the stage for a long encore

China's president is likely to emerge from a Communist Party congress with enhanced powers - but will he step down in 2022?

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to emerge from a Communist Party congress that starts Wednesday with all of the allies and authority he needs to monopolise decision making for the next five years.

The affirmation of Mr Xi’s political supremacy suggests he will double down on a drive to reassert party control at home, and project power abroad, during a second term likely to be marked by a slowing economy and volatile foreign relations, especially over North Korea.

Beyond that looms the question: Will he step down come 2022?

The twice-a-decade congress is expected to endorse Mr Xi’s rise