The closest political associate of Jiang Zemin, who is expected to end his 13-year tenure as China's Communist party chief this week, has won a place on the politburo's standing committee, according to official sources. The ascent of Zeng Qinghong is of crucial importance in securing Mr Jiang's legacy and may help ensure continuity in key areas such as foreign policy, Beijing's attitude toward Taiwan and issues such as structural reform to the political system, one insider said. Several official sources said Mr Zeng's influence within the new politburo could rival that of Hu Jintao, the vice-president who is expected...