Now, Sinophiles can relax as their prediction has come true with the ruling CPC, seeking political stability, appointed Xi Jinping as its General Secretary.
Chinese President Hu Jintao, 69, who bowed out as the boss of the CPC after he completed a ten-year stint after reappointed General Secretary at the 17th Party Congress in 2007.
Since Hu could not run for another term under CPC Constitution, China watchers were speculating whether 59-year -old Xi, would succeed him at the just-concluded 18th Communist Party Congress or if he would be overtaken by someone backed by various factions within the CPC, which has monopolised power since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949.
Many newspapers abroad also correctly predicted that Hu would also relinquish the top military post as chief of the Central Military Commission, that controls the 2.3 million- strong People's Liberation Army (PLA), the world's largest standing army, to allow a free hand to Xi to run the country, which emerged as the second largest economy under Hu's watch.
Meanwhile, the state-run Xinhua news agency today commented that the outcome of the Party Congress and the election "marked a smooth top leadership transition following the 16th national congresses of the Party in 2002."
"The smooth transition suggests that the Party is moving steadily towards an established norm regarding the handing over of power, which will be crucial for sustained stability and development of the country," it quoted analysts as saying.
"The new leaders are not ossified or conservative. Their election will ensure that China will continue with both reforms and the socialist path with Chinese characteristics, as they have witnessed, participated in and benefited from reform and opening-up," said Xie Chuntao, a professor of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.
The CPC, the world's largest political party with a reported membership of over 80 million, holds its week-long Party Congress once-in-five years during which the top leadership is chosen.
