Hu steps forward

Along with Jiang's departure from his last post, Hu now became the undisputed leader of China. "The Hu Jintao era has started," said a Chinese political analyst who asked not to be identified.

Most Chinese have faith in Hu. Seizing opportunity from crisis during the outbreak of SARS last year, Hu emerged from his first real test after declaring war on the epidemic. With decisiveness that surprised many, Hu ended a government cover-up, ordered honest reporting and sacked the health minister and the Beijing mayor.

Hu has built his popularity and charmed the nation with a refreshing people-first style. "Use power for the people, show concern for the people and seek benefit for the people," said Hu in speeches.

Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao now appear to be guiding the world's most populous nation and Asia's fastest growing economy to a soft landing.

On the diplomatic front, Hu has built on new-found respect for Beijing after bringing Washington and Pyongyang to the negotiating table to defuse the Korean nuclear crisis.

But Hu's succession was unlikely to result in dramatic changes to domestic, foreign and economic policies, as he sets to pursue the market reforms that have transformed China into the world's seventh largest economy, analysts said.

The plenum communique reinforced expectations that the former hydraulic engineer would not stray from Jiang's tough stand on using force to recover Taiwan if the island formally declares independence.

The Party "resolutely opposes and will contain 'Taiwan independence' splittist forces and unswervingly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said.

The plenum also noted that maintaining long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao is a brand-new subject in the Party's governance of the country under new circumstances.

It called for adherence to the principles of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong," "Macao people governing Macao" and a high degree of autonomy, strict observance of the basic laws of the special administrative regions, and continuous progress in implementing the cause of "one country, two systems."

Military Committee expanded

During the adjustment made by the plenum, Xu Caihou, 61, will succeed Hu as vice chairman of the military commission, Xinhua said.

Chen Bingde, Qiao Qingchen, Zhang Dingfa and Jing Zhiyuan, senior officers from the military, air, naval and artillery forces, respectively, were promoted to be members of the CMC.

Observers believe such an adjustment is made to adapt to the international situation changes and joint-force operations.

At the enlarged CMC meeting, both Jiang and Hu, wearing green military uniforms, called for unity in the military.

"If the military is internally united, and the military and the people are united, there is no difficulty that cannot be overcome," Jiang said.

Jiang, though "happy for having completed his historical duty and fulfilled his historical responsibility," was still concerned about the country's sovereignty and security, as well as the military development.

"Even though I have stepped down, my heart will always be with the military," he said.