Speaking about the achievements of the party, he proudly said: "It has led the people in making world-renowned achievements, and we have every reason to take pride in these achievements." But he also admitted that coming time is very tough. "But we are not complacent, and we will never rest on our laurels. Under the new conditions, our party faces many severe challenges, and there are also many pressing problems within the party that need to be resolved, particularly corruption, being divorced from the people, going through formalities and bureaucratism caused by some party officials," Xi added.

With growing public anger and unrest over everything from corruption to environmental degradation, Xi is for sure going to face tough time as the country's leader. Xi will be holding this responsibility of country for at least the next 5 years with a team, including the urbane, English-speaking anointed next premier Li Keqiang, and North Korea-trained economist Zhang Dejiang.

And Wang Qishan, 64 who also was in the race, is currently the vice-premier in charge of economic affairs and will take over the graft-fighting role, rather than having anything to do with financial affairs.

"It's easier for them to move to a new growth model. I think they agree upon that and that won't be the hardest task. But I see a lot of political paralysis in terms of changing the political system," said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a Chinese politics expert at Hong Kong Baptist University.

Zhang is expected to head the largely rubber-stamp parliament, while Shanghai party boss Yu Zhengsheng is likely to head parliament's advisory body and Tianjin party chief Zhang Gaoli and Liu Yunshan are also part of the committee.

Xi has also strengthened his position by directly taking over a post of the head of the military commission also, and will takeover current president Hu Jintao's state position in March at the annual meeting of parliament, when Li will succeed Premier Wen Jiabao.