Li Keqiang's authority was widely viewed as having been undercut by Xi's accumulation of power over all sectors of government, although his continuing presence on the committee appears to speak to the high-regard in which he is held within the party.
The makeup of the committee reflects Xi's efforts to foster party unity by striking a balance between different interest groups in the 89-million member organisation as he seeks to better position a reinvigorated party to dominate China's affairs. They will assume responsibility for running the rubber-stamp legislature, the National People's Congress and its advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and assume a range of portfolios, including those responsible for propaganda, party discipline, ethnic and Taiwan affairs and science and technology.
The stage is set for Xi to tighten his grip over the country. With the party's support firmly behind him, Xi will now be emboldened to continue his strong style of authoritarian rule at home and muscular foreign policy abroad.
There is growing speculation that Xi is seeking to break with precedent and extend his power beyond two five-year terms. Any attempt to do so has now been made easier, given his pre-eminent position in the constitution. It means he could rule for life.
Only Mao, considered the founding father of modern China, had his ideology enshrined into the party constitution when he was still alive. Deng Xiaoping, architect of China's reforms, had the honour awarded after his death.
Hu Jintao and Zhang Zemin also had their guiding thoughts enshrined, but without their names attached and after they served as president.
"This is Xi's era - and it's an era he has created for himself," said Zhang Lifan, a Beijing-based political commentator.
"Mao had to wait 24 years until he had his ideology included in the constitution, but for Xi it was only five."
THE POLITBURO STANDING COMMITTEE
- Xi Jinping, China's President, head of the Communist Party;
- Li Keqiang, Premier, the party's second-ranking official primarily responsible for overseeing the economy and leading the Cabinet;
- Li Zhanshu, director of the party's General Office who serves as Xi's chief of staff;
- Wang Yang, Vice-Premier;
- Wang Huning, director of the party's Central Policy Research Office;
- Zhao Leji, head of the Central Organisation Department responsible for job assignments. Zhao is expected to head the much-feared corruption watchdog body, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection;
- Han Zheng, Shanghai party leader, a veteran manager of the country's financial hub.
The party unanimously passed an amendment to include Xi Jinping: Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as one of its guiding principles.
It was agreed by a unanimous vote on the final day of the Communist Party's congress in Beijing's cavernous Great Hall of the People.
It gives greater powers to the ruling Communist Party, particularly with regards to China's rapidly modernising military. However, some experts say that although China has emerged as the world's second biggest economy, Beijing still struggles to pull millions out of poverty.
By contrast, the country has also produced a free-spending generation of wealthy urban middle classes whose lifestyles are distant from Communist ideology.
"The challenge the party has of how it relates to people's daily lives remains," said Kerry Brown, a professor of Chinese Studies at King's College London and a former British diplomat in Beijing.
- additional reporting AP, AAP
