Xi secures historic third term as China's leader

Xi Jinping secured a historic third term as China's leader and filled his inner circle with close allies, achieving after a decade in power complete dominance over the ruling Communist Party.

The party's Central Committee elected Xi as its general secretary for another five-year term, bringing the country back towards one-man rule after decades of power-sharing among its elite.

"I wish to thank the whole party sincerely for the trust you have placed in us," Xi told journalists at Beijing's Great Hall of the People after the closed-door, rubber-stamp vote was announced.

Xi, 69, was also reappointed head of China's Central Military Commission, keeping him in charge of the People's Liberation Army.

He is now all but certain to sail through to a third term as the country's president, due to be formally announced during the government's annual legislative sessions in March.

These developments cement him as the most powerful leader since Communist Party founder Mao Zedong.

In a wide-ranging acceptance speech, Xi made signature remarks celebrating China's rise as a global power and its success under his rule.

"The world needs China," Xi said.

"After more than 40 years of unflagging efforts towards reform and opening up, we have created two miracles -- rapid economic development and long-term social stability."

Xi abolished the presidential two-term limit in 2018, paving the way for him to govern indefinitely.