Channel News Asia reports:

China on Monday unveiled a new leadership team that gave President Hu Jintao a stronger hand in governing the country and put forward potential successors to take over power from him in 2012.

Hu, 64, was given a second term as head of the ruling Communist Party and the nation's armed forces, following more than a week of closed-door meetings in Beijing during which he worked to consolidate his grip on power.

As the nation's nine new leaders were presented to the press at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Hu said he was determined to push ahead with the nation's historic modernisation drive -- but not to do so at any cost.

"We will be firmly committed to development, which is the country's top priority in governing and rejuvenating the country," Hu said.

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