Beijing considers expanding ruling bodies

Concerned over leadership succession, one of the most potentially destabilizing issues for China, the Communist Party may increase membership to the Central Committee and the Politburo. The South China Morning Post reported that the 356-member Central Committee and the 25-member Politburo could be doubled during the 17th party congress later this year. Party representatives will elect members to both bodies as well as to the nine-member Politburo Standing Committee for another term of five years during the congress. Proposals are already in place for "democracy within the party" that would allow for complete elections for important party positions this year and top leadership spots in 2012. Many party officials have argued that the Central Committee is too small to represent nearly 70 million party members and should be doubled in size. The same comments have been floated about the Politburo.