President Xi opens 20th congress of China's ruling Communist Party; set to be country's most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China n Sunday morning, October 16, 2022. - Reuters

BEIJING, Oct 16 (Reuters): President Xi Jinping on Sunday kicked-off the 20th congress of China's ruling Communist Party, a week-long event where he is widely expected to win a third leadership term and cement his place as the country's most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong.

The gathering of roughly 2,300 delegates from around the country began in the vast Great Hall of the People on the west side of Tiananmen Square amid tight security and under blue skies after several smoggy days in the Chinese capital.