19th Communist Party Congress in China

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, shakes hands with former President Hu Jintao during the opening session of the Communist Party’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The 19th Party Congress opens Oct. 18 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi Jinping speaks at the opening session of the 19th Communist Party Congress held at the Great Hall Of The People in Beijing.

President Xi Jinping declared China to be entering a “new era” of challenges and opportunities as he opened a Communist Party congress expected to consolidate his political power.

A couple eat lunch in a cafe in Hong Kong under a television showing China’s President Xi Jinping speaking at the opening session of the 19th Communist Party Congress.

People in Rongan, in China’s southern Guangxi region, walk past television screens showing President Xi Jinping as he speaks at the 19th Communist Party Congress.

Attendants pose for photos in Tiananmen Square as they wait for delegates during the opening ceremony of the 19th Communist Party Congress in Beijing.

A delegate reads a document before the opening session of the 19th Communist Party Congress.

Chinese military delegates leave after the speech of President Xi Jinping at the Communist Party’s 19th Congress in Beijing.

Attendants walk in Tiananmen Square as they wait for delegates during the opening ceremony of the 19th Communist Party Congress in Beijing.

Hospitality staff are reflected in a puddle of water as they prepare to pose for photographs in Tiananmen Square during the opening ceremony of the 19th Party Congress in Beijing.