Beijing (CNN) -- Hu Jintao is stepping down this week as the Communist Party's general secretary -- the primus inter pares in the party politburo, China's elite decision-making body. In March next year, he is also expected to hand over his post as China's state president to his presumptive successor, Xi Jinping. But is the 69-year-old Hu retiring completely? Will he give up all his posts, including chairmanship of the Central Military Commission (CMC), an influential post that oversees major national security and military affairs? "We don't know if he will step down yet," said Joseph Cheng, professor at City University of Hong Kong. "The party congress is still in the bargaining process. For Xi Jinping, he needs time to consolidate his power no matter if Hu will retire or not."
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Hu Jintao preparing to hand over power to presumptive successor, Xi Jinping
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But experts question whether he will really retire, or maintain some vestiges of office
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Chinese politicians caught up in complex factional horse-trading
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Final decision on makeup of new Central Committee expected this week
In theory, the congress delegates and the @placeholder members have some influence over -- and formally vote on --leadership decisions.
It will be a sign of @placeholder's continued political clout if he stays, but analysts say Hu can also ensure that by proxy.
The only question that remains, experts say, is when @placeholder will take up the CMC chairmanship.