Xi Jinping's Anointing as Heir Apparent

After 17 years in Fujian, Xi was promoted to party secretary of the province next door. He'd helped clean up after the Laichung Singh scandal and was unaffiliated with a clear political faction. The People's Daily ran a story that September saying: "Glad tidings from Shanghai are a pleasure to behold" A month later, he walked out ahead of his main rival Hu Jintao at the 17th party congress.