BEIJING // China's ruling communists were handed a list of candidates for their new central committee yesterday ahead of a tightly circumscribed vote to select a new leadership for the world's most populous nation.
The margin for today's election of committee members is slightly more than 8 per cent, meaning there are 108 candidates for every 100 seats, the party said, though it did not give the exact number. The measure is intended to introduce a degree of competition amid calls for greater intra-party democracy within China's authoritarian, one-party system.
The congress' presidium headed by leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping handed down the list of carefully vetted candidates yesterday to the 18th national congress delegates, who number just under 2,300 delegates. About 200 will be elected, along with their alternates.
The central committee will then elect the 25-member politburo and its standing committee, the apex of power in China, which currently has nine members, but may shrink to seven. The congress also will appoint a party disciplinary body to investigate corruption and other abuses, and a central military commission to oversee the 2.3 million-member People's Liberation Army.
While Mr Xi and future premier Li Keqiang were designated as successors five years ago, the jockeying for other positions is believed to be intense. Speculation also has swirled over whether party leader Hu Jintao will relinquish his title of military commission chairman and how many allies he will manage to elevate to the standing committee.
Hu called for broader reforms in his speech at the congress' opening last week, but offered nothing specific. He is to give up his party title at the end of the congress today and the presidency next spring, after a decade in power.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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U19 World Cup in South Africa
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Vriitya Aravind, Deshan Chethyia, Mohammed Farazuddin, Jonathan Figy, Osama Hassan, Karthik Meiyappan, Rishabh Mukherjee, Ali Naseer, Wasi Shah, Alishan Sharafu, Sanchit Sharma, Kai Smith, Akasha Tahir, Ansh Tandon
