Members of China's ruling Communist Party met for the 20th Party Congress, a leadership reshuffle that happens twice a decade.

In recent years, these meetings have seen a streamlined transfer of power: the convention is for the top party leader, having completed two five-year terms, to pass the baton to a carefully chosen successor. But this year, Xi Jinping smashed that precedent, taking on a third term as general secretary of the party and pitching China into a new era of strongman rule and uncertainty over when or how the country will see another leader.

New Politburo Standing Committee members at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
New Politburo Standing Committee members at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Tingshu Wang/Reuters
A delegate poses for a photo at the end of the closing ceremony of the Party Congress on October 22.
A delegate poses for a photo at the end of the closing ceremony of the Party Congress on October 22.
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Security guards in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing at the end of the closing ceremony.
Security guards in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing at the end of the closing ceremony.
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Chinese leaders and delegates applaud at the closing ceremony.
Chinese leaders and delegates applaud at the closing ceremony.
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
China's former top leader, Hu Jintao, is led out during the closing ceremony.
China's former top leader, Hu Jintao, is led out during the closing ceremony.
Tingshu Wang/Reuters
A conductor directs his band during the closing ceremony.
A conductor directs his band during the closing ceremony.
Ng Han Guan/AP
A man stands under the Chinese Communist Party emblem at the end of the closing ceremony.
A man stands under the Chinese Communist Party emblem at the end of the closing ceremony.
Tingshu Wang/Reuters
People gather outside the Great Hall of the People on the final day of the Party Congress.
People gather outside the Great Hall of the People on the final day of the Party Congress.
Tingshu Wang/Reuters
A journalist at a hotel in Beijing on October 19 holds magazines with images of leader Xi Jinping on the covers.
A journalist at a hotel in Beijing on October 19 holds magazines with images of leader Xi Jinping on the covers.
Tingshu Wang/Reuters
Xi appears on a screen at a hotel hosting the media in Beijing on October 19.
Xi appears on a screen at a hotel hosting the media in Beijing on October 19.
Tingshu Wang/Reuters
Journalists at a video conference hosted by the press center in Beijing on October 19.
Journalists at a video conference hosted by the press center in Beijing on October 19.
Yin Gang/Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images
People in Hangzhou, China, read reports about the Party Congress on October 18.
People in Hangzhou, China, read reports about the Party Congress on October 18.
Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
Senior Communist Party officials attend the Party Congress at the Great Hall of the People on October 18.
Senior Communist Party officials attend the Party Congress at the Great Hall of the People on October 18.
Shen Hong/AP
Xi delivers a speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 16.
Xi delivers a speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 16.
Ju Peng/Xinhua/Sipa USA
Volunteers take a selfie outside the Great Hall of the People.
Volunteers take a selfie outside the Great Hall of the People.
VCG/Visual China Group/Getty Images
Construction workers in Changsha, China, watch a live broadcast of the opening session.
Construction workers in Changsha, China, watch a live broadcast of the opening session.
Li Jian/VCG/Visual China Group/Getty Images
Delegates wearing masks attend the opening ceremony.
Delegates wearing masks attend the opening ceremony.
Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press
Xi speaks during the opening ceremony.
Xi speaks during the opening ceremony.
Thomas Peter/Reuters
A paramilitary police officer stands guard outside the Great Hall of the People.
A paramilitary police officer stands guard outside the Great Hall of the People.
Thomas Peter/Reuters
A view of the the Great Hall of the People during the opening ceremony.
A view of the the Great Hall of the People during the opening ceremony.
Yue Yuewei/Xinhua/Zuma Press
Xi arrives at the Great Hall of the People.
Xi arrives at the Great Hall of the People.
Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press
A security staff member keeps watch after the opening session.
A security staff member keeps watch after the opening session.
Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images
A hostess lifts the curtain for an attendee during the opening ceremony.
A hostess lifts the curtain for an attendee during the opening ceremony.
Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press
The People's Liberation Army band performs on the first day.
The People's Liberation Army band performs on the first day.
Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images
Military delegates arrive for the opening ceremony.
Military delegates arrive for the opening ceremony.
Thomas Peter/Reuters
Hostesses prepare drinks at the Great Hall of the People.
Hostesses prepare drinks at the Great Hall of the People.
Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press
A security guard stands outside the Great Hall of the People.
A security guard stands outside the Great Hall of the People.
Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images