Meeting Gives China's Xi a Chance to Tighten Hold on Economy

By JOE McDONALD, AP Business Writer

BEIJING (AP) At the Communist Party congress that begins Sunday, President Xi Jinping, Chinas most influential figure in decades, will get a chance to install more allies who share his vision of an even more dominant party role in the economy and tighter control over entrepreneurs.

The only question, economists and political analysts say, is whether Chinas economic doldrums might force Xi to temper his enthusiasm for a state-run economy and include supporters of the markets and private enterprises that generate jobs and wealth.

The congress will name a new Standing Committee, China's inner circle of power, and other party leaders. Economic regulators will be appointed by the ceremonial legislature, which meets in March. But the leadership lineup will highlight who is likely to succeed Premier Li Keqiang, the top economic official, and take other government posts.

Xi has called for a great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by reviving the partys original mission as economic and social leader. During his term, the emphasis has been on politics over economics and on reducing reliance on foreign technology and markets.

Xi is expected to try to break with tradition and award himself a third five-year term as party leader. A report he is due to deliver at the congress will set economic, trade and technology goals for at least the next five years.

Investors will look for signs of a more private sector-led economy. But with President Xi in place, there wont be much change, said Lloyd Chan of Oxford Economics. Any reforms will be carried out in a way that it will be state-led.