As Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares to consolidate his power for a second five-year term at the 19th Communist Party Congress, beginning on October 18, he can point to another impressive period of growth for the nation's economy. While the turbocharged days of double-digit annual expansion achieved in previous decades may be over, the Chinese economy still managed to expand more than 50 percent in yuan terms in the five years to the middle of 2017. Beijing has been turned into a virtual fortress ahead of the key Congress of the ruling Communist Party of China amid fears of terror attacks by militants from the troubled Xinjiang province. Though the government has denied any security crackdown in the Muslim-majority Xinjiang province, heavy deployment of security forces were seen at various key locations in the national capital including Tiananmen square where the once-in-a-five-year Congress will be held at the Great Hall of the People. <br /><br /> Here are some of the images: -
Starting his tenure with three powerful posts, Xi consolidated his position using the massive anti-corruption campaign against high ranking as well as middle and lower rung officials and top leaders. (AP Photo)
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In this photo a billboard reading "Without the Communist Party there is no New China" in Beijing. As China's ruling Communist Party kicks off its twice-a-decade national congress on Wednesday, buildings, bridges and construction sites around Beijing have been festooned with banners heralding the party's merits and its goal of realizing the "Chinese Dream" of greater prosperity. (AP Photo)
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Visitors stand outside the Tiananmen Gate next to Tiananmen Square in Beijing. (AP Photo)
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Firmly in the saddle to begin his second term with immense powers at this week's key Congress of the ruling Communist Party, Chinese President Xi Jinping may set his sight for unprecedented third term, observers say. (AP Photo)
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A giant banner is seen in Beijing's central business area, as the capital prepares for the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The words on the banner read, "Unite closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, constantly win new victory for socialism with Chinese characteristics". (Reuters Photo)
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The once-in-a-five-year Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which will begin here from October 18, was expected to confirm the second five-year term of Xi in line with the convention of two terms for the top leaders, followed by the party since 2002, after which they retire. (AP Photo)
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During the 18th Congress, which was held around the same time five years ago, the then President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao had overseen an orderly transfer of power adhering to the conventional two terms and handed over the power to Xi, who was then the Vice President.(AP Photo)
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Paramilitary policemen march as people attend a flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square a day before the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China begins in Beijing, China. (Reuters Photo)
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As the Party is set to begin its 19th Congress on Wednesday, all eyes are on whether Xi will follow another widely followed convention of the party to groom a successor. (Reuters Photo)
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The leadership has also vowed to rein in a rapid buildup in debt, and to shift the focus of the economy to domestic consumption from capital investment to put growth on a more sustainable long-term footing and avoid a painful adjustment later. (Reuters Photo)
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Women practice a dance routine outside residential community meeting during a media tour highlighting the Communist Party's efforts at the grassroots level in Beijing. (AP Photo)
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Economic growth accelerated to 6.9 percent in the first half of this year, thanks to a construction boom, well ahead of the government's target of around 6.5 percent. (AP Photo)
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China's economy is often measured against that of the United States, and is projected to become the largest economy in the world anywhere from between 2018 and 2030. (Reuters Photo)
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It has continued to gain on the United States over the last five years, rising from 53 percent of the U.S. economy in 2012 to 60 percent in 2016 based on U.S. dollar figures, but on a per capita basis, U.S. GDP is still seven times the size of China. (Reuters Photo)
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China's rapid economic progress has been a lightening rod for critics, led by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claim it uses unfair practices to gain a trade advantage, stoking fears of a trade spat with the U.S. (Reuters Photo)
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A big reason for China's strong GDP growth is its abnormally large reliance on investment to backstop growth. (AP Photo)
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Real estate has been a key growth driver, and is the main source of wealth for most Chinese citizens. (Reuters Photo)
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Despite last year's improvement for household consumption, the global average of over 200 countries was still much higher at 58 percent in 2015, according to data from the World Bank. (Reuters Photo)
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Government spending, meanwhile, has grown faster than personal spending as Beijing adopted an active fiscal policy to stabilize the economy. (Reuters Photo)
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