Xi's power on parade as China party congress looms

BEIJING, Sept 2 (Reuters) - The recent scene at a dusty Inner Mongolia military base provided evidence of Chinese President Xi Jinping's consolidation of political power, even as he faces pushback from some quarters in his ruling Communist Party ahead of a critical gathering next month.

Dressed in army fatigues, Xi reviewed a military parade on July 30 marking the 90th founding anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Breaking with precedent at such events, Xi who is head of the party and the military as well as president - did not share the stage with peers or party elders.

PLA General Fan Changlong, in a further departure from the norm, hailed Xi as “lingxiu”, or leader, a reverent honorific bestowed only on two others since the 1949 founding of the People's Republic of China: Chairman Mao Zedong and his successor, Hua Guofeng.

According to six sources with ties to the leadership, as well as Chinese analysts and foreign diplomats, that display and others sent a clear signal of his increasingly dominant position in the runup to the Party's congress starting on Oct. 18, a meeting that is only held once every five years.

Rana Mitter, director of the University of Oxford China Centre, said the “lingxiu” title would suggest Xi had succeeded in one of his key aims to “centralise as much authority and charisma under his own person” as possible.

But as Xi's supporters promote his agenda, some party insiders, wary that he will accumulate too much power and effectively end three decades of collective leadership, have delayed agreement on who will end up on the partys Standing Committee, the apex of power, currently made up of seven men.

The State Council Information Office, which doubles as the party's spokesman's office, did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

As is typical in the run-up to the Congress, competing name lists have been circulating in leadership circles for the Standing Committee, but sources caution they are possibilities rather than the final line-up. Key questions include whether Xi will get his supporters in all the key positions. There will also be a lot of attention on any moves that would enable Xi to stay on in some top leadership capacity after his second term ends in 2022.

Xi is required by the country's constitution to step down as president after two fiveyear terms. There is no limit on his tenure as the party and military chief, though a maximum 10-year term is the norm.

There will be a lot of attention on moves that would enable Xi to stay on in some top leadership capacity after his second term ends in 2022.