Beijing: They raised their hands in unison and the scrutineers called out that there was not one vote in dissent: "Mei you".

The Great Hall of the People, where the leading cadres sat under the red star, erupted with applause. And with that, Chinese president Xi Jinping has risen in Chinese Communist Party history, to be right up there with Mao Zedong.

Chinese President Xi Jinping raises his hand to show approval of a work report during the closing ceremony for the 19th Party Congress Credit:AP

Xi Jinping Thought joined Mao Zedong's and Deng Xiaoping's eponymous theories in the Chinese constitution.

"A guide to action for the entire party and all the Chinese people to strive for," said the resolution passed by the twice-a-decade meeting of the party.