If this list turns out to be true, it signals that a more meaningful generational transition is most likely to take place at the 19th congress in 2017, when more youthful officials would be elected into the Standing Committee.
It also sends a clear message that the authorities have chosen stability and continuity over a new breed of officials, including Guangdong party secretary Wang Yang and Li Yuanchao, the powerful head of the party's Organisation Department responsible for personnel appointments. Wang, 57, and Li, 62, until recently strong contenders for top party posts, have seen their chances dimmed largely because of age, ironically. It is believed both of them are still deemed relatively young and could still make it to the Standing Committee in the 2017 reshuffle. More importantly, they are well known for their reformist outlook.