China’s new ruling elite to decree ‘steady as she goes’

President Xi Jinping looks likely to tighten his grip on power at a key Communist Party gathering next week, a move that should smooth the way for reform of the bloated public sector.  Xi will have his chance to promote allies to senior party and government positions at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which will convene in Beijing on October 18. The new lineup will run the world’s second-largest economy, with Xi at the helm. Held every five years, the…