Tokyo | Xi Jinping has set the scene for his appointment as China’s leader for a historic third term on Sunday after the Communist Party elite backed his policy road map for the next five years and chose a new committee of top political advisers stacked with loyalists.

Premier Li Keqiang, Mr Xi’s number two, will not stay on in a senior role, it was confirmed on Saturday, after the 67-year-old’s name was dropped from a list of 205 members of China’s Central Committee. Mr Li had previously announced he would step down as Premier.