In recent years, the process of elite transition in the top leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has become increasingly institutionalized. This paper examines the leadership changes that occurred in each session of the National Congress of the Communist Party of China, beginning with the 13th Congress in 1987. We first examine several factors, including age limits, central posts previously held, and experience as a provincial leader, that can explain the political moves of all fifty-seven individuals who have served as full or alternating members of the Politburo since 1987. This paper then uses these factors as indicators to identify about thirty frontrunners for the 18th Politburo and its Standing Committee, due for election in 2012.