This is one example how one-on-one talks played a part in the recommendation of leadership candidates.

Starting from April, Xi personally talked to 30 senior leaders to seek their opinions. From April to July, other senior CPC leaders also sought advice from 318 senior cadres and senior military officers.

"There was no time limit on the conversation, nor was there a limit to the number of people recommended," said an official attending one-on-one talks. "We can recommend anyone whom we think is outstanding and competent ... We can be open and honest in our views."

Xi once stressed that political integrity must be upheld as the primary criterion when electing the CPC's new central leadership. "We should be strict with officials on their political consciousness and clean governance," Xi stressed.

Officials attending one-on-one sessions agreed that members of the new central leadership should have firm political beliefs and be loyal to the Party. The readiness to take on responsibilities, the courage to carry on the fight, and the ability to lead the modernization drive are all important considerations for many comrades when recommending candidates.

On the new central leadership's makeup principles and plan, Xi exchanged views and deliberated with other members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau.

After an initial plan was developed, Xi sought advice again from members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and members of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat. The new central leadership's makeup plan was later proposed.