At the closing session presided over by Hu Jintao, 2,235 delegates and specially invited guests selected through secretive ballots 204 members and 167 alternate members of the 17th CPC Central Committee.

Zeng Qinghong, Wu Guanzheng and Luo Gan, members of the previous politburo standing committee, were not in the central committee, while Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin and Li Changchun have secured seats.

As is customary, the new central committee will hold its first plenary session the following day of the conclusion of the Party congress.

According to the CPC Constitution, the plenum elects the central committee's general secretary, members and alternate members of its political bureau, and members of the political bureau standing committee. The general secretary shall be chosen from political bureau standing committee members.

It was the fifth time that competitive election was used at the CPC congress. At least eight percent of nominees have been eliminated in the primary elections for the central committee and central discipline commission, larger than that at the 16th CPC National Congress in 2002, indicating a sign of progress of intra- Party democracy.

The closing meeting also passed a resolution on an amendment to the Party Constitutions, which enshrined the scientific outlook on development and unveiled the Party's determination to promote more coordinated development on the basis of social harmony, environmental protection and energy conservation in addition to economic expansion.

The CPC, which was established in 1921 and took power 28 years later, has routinely amended its Constitution on past national congresses to keep up with the times.

In a speech at the closing ceremony, Hu said that the latest revision reflects the achievements the Party has made in theoretical innovation in line with the realities and proposed " clear-cut requirements" on how to stick to and improve the leadership of the Party.

The resolution said that the Party will continue to facilitate socialist market economy and democracy, uphold advanced culture and steer China into a harmonious society where all Chinese people are be united to push forward the national drive for a moderately prosperous society with comprehensive development in economy, politics, culture and society.

The meeting also passed resolutions on the reports of the 16th CPC Central Committee and Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and fully approved their work over the past five years.

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2007)