BEIJING, Oct 21: Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong retired from the Communists’ upper ranks on Sunday, bolstering Party boss Hu Jintao’s grip on power and clearing the way for a younger generation of potential successors.

Zeng, 68, a powerful party organisation boss promoted by Hu’s predecessor Jiang Zemin was left off the newly elected Central Committee of 204 full members, Xinhua reported.

His departure, an influx of recruits into the Central Committee, and changes to the party charter all underscored Hu’s growing clout as he launched himself into five more years in charge of the world’s fourth biggest economy.

Delegates wound up the five-yearly congress by unanimously agreeing to write Hu’s trademark slogans into the charter, overshadowing those of Jiang.

Hu was also the top vote-getter in the ballot for the committee, winning all but two of the 2,235 votes, a delegate said.

Zeng’s departure from the committee with two other leaders, security chief Luo Gan, 72, and anti-corruption boss Wu Guanzheng, 69, indicates Hu will be able to announce the promotion of potential successors soon after the congress ends.—Reuters