Besides Zeng, other top leaders moving aside were Wu Guanzheng (趠巹櫆), who has run the party's internal corruption watchdog, and Luo Gan (崏庌), who oversees law enforcement. Vice Premier Wu Yi (趠鋺), the only female member of the Politburo and China's top troubleshooter on international trade, was also leaving as was Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan (蟓邟藿).
Of all leadership members, only Zeng rivaled Hu in political influence. A skilled political insider and the son of a veteran of the revolution, Zeng rose to power as an aide to Hu's predecessor, Jiang Zemin (阭鼳硠), helping him shove aside rivals. Though Zeng also helped Hu engineer the removal of rivals, he was seen as a leading protector of Jiang's legacy and influence within the party.
Though congress and Central Committee delegates have some influence over leadership decisions, most of the lineup is decided among a core group of the most powerful party members.
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