China's 20th Communist Party Congress: What you need to know

FILE PHOTO: A man walks past a display welcoming the 20th Congress of the Communist Party in Beijing, China, October 10, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

China's 20th Communist Party Congress kicks off on Sunday, with Xi Jinping widely expected to clinch his third five-year stint in charge - a mandate that would secure his stature as the country's most powerful ruler since founding leader Mao Zedong.

* Little is known about who will be promoted into which key roles on the Politburo and its seven-member Standing Committee. Here are some of the leading contenders and some scenarios to look out for.

* Leaders face a difficult time, with a slowing economy, questions over whether and how to exit its strict zero-COVID policy, rising tensions over Taiwan and high-profile protests over several issues this year. Markets are closely watching how Beijing manages these challenges.

A view of Chinese national flags in a street of an old neighbourhood as the city prepares for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, China October 11, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

* Meanwhile, the capital is stepping up security and COVID curbs, and raising red political banners for the once-every-five-year event that brings together 2,300 party members at the vast Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square.

(Compiled by Lincoln Feast)

FILE PHOTO: Chinese President Xi Jinping and fellow delegates raise their hands as they take a vote at the closing session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, China October 24, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

A visitor poses for pictures in front of a Chinese flag near a screen showing late Chinese chairman Mao Zedong, at the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, China October 13, 2022. REUTERS/Florence Lo