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China’s Communist Party congress begins in Beijing

China's biggest political event, the Communist Party congress, has begun in Beijing under tight security.

Party leader and Chinese president Xi Jinping is addressing more than 2,000 delegates in the capital.

The closed-door summit, which takes place once every five years, determines who rules China and the country's direction for the next term, reports the BBC.

Mr Xi, who became the leader in 2012, has been consolidating power and is expected to remain as party chief. The congress, which also decides on a roadmap for China for the next five years, is expected to finish next week.

Shortly after the congress ends, the party is expected to unveil the new members of China's top decision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee, who will steer the country.

In his speech, Mr Xi listed China's recent achievements, saying that "socialism with Chinese characteristics in this new era" meant China had "become a great power in the world", and added that the country should not copy foreign political systems.

He aarned against separatism - in an apparent reference to movements in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong - and reiterated the government's principle that Taiwan is part of China

Said also China "would not close its doors to the world" and promised further economic reform, including lowering barriers for foreign investors.

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