As China's 18th Party Congress draws to a close just one day before the announcement of the country's new leaders, the state-owned news agency has reported that as expected Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang have been elected to the party's Central Committee in the first step towards becoming the president and premier of the country. Jingping will replace the outgoing President Hu Jintao, who said in a closing statement the congress had "replaced older leaders with younger ones" and made decisions of "far-reaching historical significance."

Around 2250 party delegates cast their votes behind closed doors to elect the new Central Committee in Beijing, which will approve the country's main policy body, the 25-member Politburo Standing Committee.

The line of fresh leaders are expected to be under close scrutiny for early indications on China's future economic and political course.

Written and presented by Ann Salter.