The elite of China’s ruling Communist Party will convene next week a long-awaited conclave that has been shrouded in secrecy, with pundits speculating about a possible political promotion within the ranks that may further cement President Xi Jinping’s grip on power. Chongqing party secretary Chen Min’er, could be propelled into the apex Standing Committee, the nation’s top decision-making body. James Char from RSIS, said, “Should there indeed be a personnel reshuffle, reassigning Chen from Chongqing to take up a post in Beijing before actually promoting him to the Standing Committee in 2022 may be a more likely manoeuvre.”