China’s Leadership Transition

Hu Jintao’s First US Visit

China's National People's Congress (March 2002)

[ News ] [ Papers ] 

Chinese Leader Cancels Communists' Seaside Retreat
(NYT, Aug. 4, 2003) The decision to end the secretive meetings is Hu's most formal break with Communist tradition. It is also the strongest signal to date that he intends to manage party affairs differently than Jiang.

China's Leader Gives No Sign of Changes to Come
(NYT, July 2, 2003) President Hu Jintao said in a major address that the "foremost political duty" of China's leaders was to carry out the ideological theories of his predecessor, Jiang Zemin, disappointing some reformists.

Jiang Urged to Give Up Forces Role
(CNN.com, June 16, 2003) A group of influential Communist Party elders has urged former Chinese president Jiang Zemin to step down from his last remaining post of Commander-in-Chief of the military forces.

Hu Pulls the Purse Strings
(CNN.com, June 9, 2003) The new leadership under President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao has begun aggressive measures to cut down on bureaucratic fat and administrative expenses in China.

China's Diplomatic Makeover
(CNN.com, Mar. 18, 2003) China's newly appointed team of top foreign policy-makers are likely to take a tougher stance in such major arenas as Sino-U.S. relations, the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula.

Wen Jiabao Named China's Premier
(AP, Mar. 16, 2003) The third-ranking member of China's Communist Party was appointed Sunday to be its next premier. Wen Jiabao, 60, replaces the retiring Zhu Rongji.

China Confirms New Leadership
(BBC, Mar. 15, 2003) China's parliament has named Hu Jintao as the country's new president, replacing Jiang Zemin, who is stepping down as China's top leader after 10 years.

Hu Appointed China's President, Jiang Retains Military Power
(AFP, Mar. 15, 2003) China made profound changes to its elite leadership amid classic communist pomp and ceremony, appointing Hu Jintao president but retaining his predecessor Jiang Zemin in the powerful position of military chief.

Chinese Newspaper Shut After Call for Reform
(WP, Mar. 14, 2003) The Chinese government shut down a newspaper that published an impassioned plea for political reform along with a critique of past leaders by Mao Zedong's former secretary.

China Approves Sweeping Change
(CNN.com, Mar. 10, 2003) China's legislature has approved a sweeping restructuring of the country's cabinet, bringing it more in line with Western models.

10th NPC Sets Out Priorities
(China Daily, Mar. 5, 2003) The nation's top legislative body will give priority to meeting the needs of the market economy, social progress and the challenges of World Trade Organization membership.

China's New Leader Consolidates Power
(Reuters, Jan. 19, 2003) Five allies of China's Communist Party chief Hu Jintao have been appointed to key provincial government and parliamentary.

Hu Moves His Allies Into Key Positions
(Straits Times, Jan. 7, 2002) China's new leader Hu Jintao has begun putting his own people in key positions, appointing a number of cadres from the Communist Youth League which he used to head.

Shanghai Faction Leads China Power Play
(CNN.com, Dec. 30, 2002) A protégé of Chinese President Jiang Zemin is tipped to be made Secretary-General of the State Council in yet another sign of the growing clout of the Jiang or Shanghai Faction.

New Chinese Cabinet Takes Shape
(CNN.com, Dec. 25, 2002) Chinese premier-designate Wen Jiabao is assembling a cabinet that will be weighted heavily with technocrats with ties to the Greater Shanghai Region.

Hu Takes Charge of National Security Body
(Straits Times, Dec. 19, 2002) China's new party chief Hu Jintao has taken over the chairmanship of the Central Leading Group (CLG) on National Security from his predecessor Jiang Zemin.

Taiwan Issues Keep Jiang in Army Role
(CNN.com, Nov. 22, 2002) The Communist party Politburo has cited the "treacherous Taiwan situation" in asking president Jiang Zemin to remain in his post of chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC).

China's New Leader Promises Not to Sever Tether to Jiang
(NYT, Nov. 21, 2002) In his secret acceptance speech after being appointed China's Communist Party chief on Friday, Hu Jintao pledged that on important matters he would "seek instruction and listen to the views" of his predecessor, Jiang Zemin.

Asia's Media Hail China Change, But Urge Political Reforms
(Reuters, Nov. 17, 2002) Asian countries joined the United States on Saturday in welcoming a smooth transfer of power in China but newspaper editorials called on Beijing to seize the moment and embark on political as well as economic reform.

China's Jiang Re-elected to Commission That Runs Military
(AP, Nov. 15, 2002) Jiang Zemin was re-elected to head China's powerful military commission, minutes after Jiang officially stepped down from the leadership of the Communist Party.

China Begins Transfer of Power
(CNN, Nov. 14, 2002) Confirming long-standing speculation, Chinese President Jiang Zemin and five other senior leaders are stepping down from their posts in the ruling Communist Party.

Army Backs Jiang Succession Plan
(CNN.com, Nov. 11, 2002) The Chinese army has vowed to support the political succession that is being choreographed by President Jiang Zemin.

China Party Elite Reviews New Leadership Lineup
(Reuters, Nov. 11, 2002) China's Communist Party elite was shown a list of candidates on Monday for a new generation of leaders to take over from President Jiang Zemin and others this week.

China's Heir Apparent Lavishes Praise on President Jiang at Congress
(AFP, Nov. 9, 2002) China's likely next leader Hu Jintao used his first speech at the ruling Communist Party's key 16th Congress in Beijing to firmly commit himself to the ruling orthodoxy.

16th CPC Party Congress Opens in Beijing
(People’s Daily, Nov. 8, 2002) "Our position of never undertaking to renounce the use of force is not directed at our Taiwan compatriots, but aimed at the foreign forces' attempts to interfere in China's reunification and the Taiwan separatist forces' schemes for 'Taiwan independence'."

China's Jiang Urges Restarting Talks with Taiwan
(Reuters, Nov. 8, 2002) Jiang Zemin said that China and Taiwan should put aside political differences to resume talks, an offer swiftly welcomed by Taiwan as long as there are no pre-conditions.

China's Leadership Change Raises Hopes and Fears in Taiwan
(AP, Nov. 7, 2002) Much depends on what kind of leadership reshuffle happens during the National Party Congress. Some Taiwanese hope a younger generation of leaders will be more pragmatic and flexible.

China's Top Seven Revealed
(CNN.com, Nov. 4, 2002) Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, Zeng Qinghong, Wu Bangguo, Huang Ju Huang, Luo Gan, and Jia Qinglin.

Jiang to Keep a Decisive Role in China, Lee Kuan Yew Says
(International Herald Tribune, Sep. 17, 2002) Jiang Zemin will maintain a decisive role in China even after he gives up the title of president soon, according to Singapore's former prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew.

China's Leader Won't Hold On, Anonymous Author Says
(New York Times, Sep. 5, 2002) Despite rampant speculation to the contrary, a new account of Beijing's secretive politics says that China's leader, Jiang Zemin, has decided to give up all of his top posts.

Blueprint for Jiang's 'Retirement'
(CNN.com, Aug. 30, 2002) A formula for Chinese President Jiang Zemin's partial retirement has temporarily been worked out among the Communist party's top echelons.

Beijing Sets Meeting For Power Transfer
(Washington Psost, August 26, 2002) China's Communist Party will hold its most important meeting in years in early November, during which senior officials are expected to step down and hand power to a younger generation.

Jiang Bids to Retain Power  
(CNN.com, Aug. 19, 2002) Chinese President Jiang Zemin is trying to persuade several key Politburo members to agree to his retaining the post of Communist party general secretary for at least a few more years.

China May Delay Leadership Change Until November
(Reuters, July 30, 2002) China's five-yearly Communist Party congress, at which top leaders are supposed to retire, could be delayed until after party chief Jiang Zemin's trip to the United States in October.

PRC Leaders Descend on Beidaihe for Vital Talks
(AFP, July 26, 2002) The peaceful seaside resort of Beidaihe took centre stage in world affairs as mainland China's elite began gathering for talks which could decide the country's leadership line-up for the next decade.

China Announces Hu Visit to US But Keeps Up Taiwan Offensive
(AFP, April 12, 2002) China announced that Vice President Hu Jintao -- expected to be the next leader of the world's most populous nation -- would visit Washington later this month for talks likely to be dominated by the Taiwan dispute.

Hu's 'Crucial' Stateside Visit
(CNN.com, Feb. 25, 2002) Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao is set to visit the United States in late April in what is considered to be a crucial event for Sino-American ties. Beijing sources close to Hu's personal office said the 59-year-old leader had assembled his own team of U.S. experts to prepare for the trip.

China Reshuffles Local Leaders as Jostling for Power Intensifies
(AFP, Dec. 13, 2001) A reshuffle of China's top provincial leaders, including the resignation of Shanghai's popular mayor last week, shows early political jostling has begun ahead of an imminent generational change in the communist leadership.

China's Elite Tackles Leadership Question
(BBC, Sep. 24, 2001) China's Communist Party has opened a key meeting of its central committee, which could decide the future shape of the country's political leadership.

Clear Vision for a Global Role
(Asia Times, Nov. 19, 2003) On international affairs, the fourth generation of Chinese leadership under President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao has adopted a more transparent and positive approach.

Long Road to Reform
(Asia Times, Nov. 18, 2003 Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao has demonstrated more transparency and efficiency in handling domestic. Yet the situation faced by the new leadership is anything but smooth.

China's Hu, A Year in Power By Benjamin Kang Lim
(Reuters, Nov. 15, 2003) After a year in power, Hu has surprised many critics, weathering two major crises with a combination of decisiveness and determination.

China Restores Pragmatism
(Asia Times, Nov. 15, 2003) Hu Jintao's administration, established one year ago at the 16th Party Congress, is still too young and vulnerable for him to put forward his own theory.

Gate-Crashing the Party
(Economist, Nov. 13, 2003) A year after Hu Jintao took over as Communist Party leader, there are faint glimmers of reform. But there have been too many false dawns before.

Chinese Leaders Set Out Wish List By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Oct. 16, 2003) The just-ended plenary session of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee has confirmed President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao as determined -- but cautious -- reformers.

Analysts say China's Political Changes Aimed at Keeping Communists in Power (AP, Oct. 3, 2003) President Hu Jintao's call for a more democratic China sounded a lot like pluralism. But it doesn't mean the one-party communist system will allow opposition politics.

China Toys with De-Jiangification By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Sep. 24, 2003) It's a terrible tongue-twister, but de-Jiangification could be the name of the game for Chinese politics for the foreseeable future.

China's Reforms Have Stalled Again By Orville Schell
(Taipei Times, Sep. 16, 2003) China may be something of a miracle of economic reform, but until changes come in its Leninist governmental system a truly new New China will never arise.

Caring Communists By Susan V. Lawrence
(Far Eastern Economic Review, Aug. 28, 2003) Six months after taking the helm, China's new leaders have shown they're different from their predecessors--in style, if not in substance.

China: Breaking with the Past? By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, July 23, 2003) While on the reform front, the new leadership under President Hu Jintao has scored big on symbolism, not that much in terms of substance has been achieved.

Is China's New Boss Up to the Job? By Tom Plate
(Straits Times, July 12, 2003) A prudent China would do as little as possible in Hong Kong by supporting embattled Mr Tung and as much as possible in Myanmar by helping the incarcerated Ms Suu Kyi.

Who's Hu? By Baopu Liu
(TIME, July 7, 2003) Some see China's new leader as a reformer, but the Party line is hard to cross. So far Hu has governed by the book—and there's little evidence he'll do otherwise.

Analysts See Tension in China Within the Top Leadership By Joseph Kahn  (New York Times, July 1, 2003) A conflict between supporters of President Hu Jintao and his predecessor, Jiang Zemin, has exposed the tensions within China's top leadership and made it harder for a new generation of officials to put their stamp on politics.

Hu, Jiang Intrigue Clouds China's Reform Outlook By Jonathan Ansfield (Reuters, June 30, 2003) Jiang, who remains chief of the nation's vast military machine, had made calculated stabs to reassert his authority in recent weeks. Hu supporters have cried foul.

Chinese Leader Solidifies Power By John Pomfret
(Washington Post, June 28, 2003) China's new president, Hu Jintao, has moved rapidly to solidify his hold on power and has defied predictions that he would labor under the shadow of his predecessor.

China's Conservative Backlash By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, June 24, 2003) One step forward, three-quarters of a step back: this is the destiny of China's reform. The empire of conservatism is striking back.

Hu Else? China's New Supremo By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, June 17, 2003) In seven short months, the consistently under-rated Chinese President Hu Jintao has made the passage from "Who's Hu" to "Hu else."

Is Hu Using Scandal to Embarrass His Rivals? By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, June 11, 2003) Hu's much-ballyhooed efforts to promote rule by law, however, will not go very far if law enforcement and judicial procedures are seen as playing second fiddle to the dynamics of factional infighting.

Hu Sends a Message to the World that China Is Under New Management By Frank Ching
(Japan Times, June 11, 2003) Chinese President Hu Jintao's first overseas journey has served to reassure the international community that China's new leadership has a steady hand on the nation's helm.

Epidemic Is a 'Test' For China's Leadership By John Pomfret
(Washington Post, Apr. 22, 2003) With the removal of two senior officials for mishandling the SARS epidemic, China's new government has broken with past practice.

China's Political About-Turn on Openness Comes Under Scrutiny
(Financial Times, Apr. 22, 2003) When China's premier promised the nation in his inaugural news conference in March that despite his mild manners he was a man who "dared to take responsibility", he cannot have expected that his mettle would be tested so soon.

Chinese Deserve Grown-Up Party Leaders By David Wall
(Japan Times, Apr. 13, 2003) The leaders of the Chinese Communist Party want the world to believe that the government they control is fit to be accepted as a full-fledged mature member of the global community. But is it? There have to be some doubts.

The Survivor Takes Over
(Economist, Mar. 20, 2003) China's new prime minister, once a protégé of China's disgraced reformist, Zhao Ziyang, shows few signs of seeking to rock the boat.

Changing of the Guard: Exit Zhu, Enter Wen By Christopher Horton
(Asia Times, Mar. 18, 2003) While many things are working in favor of China's economy, make no mistake: this is a crucial time in its development. Wen has some very large shoes to fill.

Beijing Autocrat Leaves Behind Debt and Doubt By Jasper Becker
(International Herald Tribune, Mar. 18, 2003) More than anyone else, apart from the late Deng Xiaoping, Zhu Rongji's forceful leadership has kept the Chinese Communist Party in power.

China's New Prime Minister Seen as Careful Conciliator By Joseph Kahn
(New York Times, Mar. 17, 2003) Wen Jiabao, a number-crunching chief of staff who self-effacingly served China's top leaders for two decades, was formally appointed prime minister.

China's Stability Depends on Hu-Zeng Relations By Ching Cheong
(Straits Times, Mar. 16, 2003) Zeng Qinghong's promotion to state vice-presidency is an attempt by Jiang Zemin to curtail Hu Jintao's powers.

China Leader Steps Down, but Not Out of the Picture By Elisabeth Rosenthal
(New York Times, Mar. 16, 2003) Hu Jintao is clearly now the highest civilian authority and formally China's top leader, but Jiang Zemin remains China's most senior de facto leader.

China's New Leaders Try to Change Tack By John Pomfret
(Washington Post, Mar. 15, 2003) Wen Jiabao spent Chinese New Year's Eve in a coal mine sharing dumplings with miners. Hu Jintao spent the night shivering with herders in Inner Mongolia. There was a dual message: We care, and we're different from Jiang Zemin, the departing Chinese leader.

Is China Serious About Reform? By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Mar. 11, 2003) The on-going session of the National People's Congress (NPC) has failed to clarify crucial questions about the political succession and the future of reform.

China's Quiet Revolution By Yu Bin
(Asia Times, Mar. 11, 2003) China's National People's Congress …marks the debut of the fourth generation of leaders led by Hu Jintao - appointed Chinese Communist Party (CCP) secretary general last year - who are posed to steer China toward a different mode of politics.

Don't Expect People's Congress to Get More Teeth By Leslie Fong
(Straits Times, Mar. 5, 2003) Despite a desire to improve governance, increases in NPC's powers to scrutinise government may be incremental, at best.

Delegates Take On One-Party Rule in China's Heartland By John Pomfret
(Washington Post, Mar. 4, 2003) Party leaders in Beijing are so worried about the threat of creeping democracy that they have conducted a series of meetings to ensure that the 2,984 delegates to this year's Congress stick to tightly scripted voting requirements.

China's Version of Democracy Gets Under Way
(Associated Press, Mar. 3, 2003) The annual meetings of China's legislature and its advisory body bring thousands of delegates to the capital. They are prominent symbols of what the communist government calls its version of democracy.

China to Convince West of Reform By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Mar. 3, 2003) Foremost among the changes to be introduced at the NPC will be streamlining the State Council -- or central government bureaucracy -- and cutting down on state interference in the economy.

Room at the Top?
(Economist, Feb. 27, 2003) Even after he gives up the state presidency at the annual two-week session of the National People's Congress (NPC),  Jiang Zemin will still be the country's paramount figure.

China's New Leaders a Less Dogmatic
(Agence France Presse, Feb. 28, 2003) China's new generation of leaders, due to be installed in the country's top posts next month, are perhaps the least dogmatic, more focused on results than ideology.

Hu Woos with People Power By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Feb. 26, 2003) Hu impressed observers with his fervent salute to the "people-come-first" precept while addressing an ideological study session for the party Central Committee.

China's Hu Cautiously Emerges from Jiang's Shadow By Benjamin Kang Lim
(Reuters, Feb. 22, 2003) Hu, 60, may have taken over the top job and is destined to assume the presidency in March, but Jiang, 76, quietly grips the reins of power and calls the shots when it comes to top diplomacy.

Wen's Plan for Action By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(CNN.com, Feb. 12, 2003) Efforts to maintain stability and national security, rather than reform, will likely dominate the first few years of the administration of premier-in-waiting Wen Jiabao.

Hu Jintao Earns His Place as a Role Model By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(CNN.com, Jan. 28, 2003) An apparently casual remark by Beijing's new mayor says much about the fast-growing clout of Communist Party General Secretary Hu Jintao.

Hu Steps Out By David Murphy
(Far Eastern Economic Review, Jan. 23, 2003) Hu Jintao's public profile rises with his reported intervention in student protests, and other moves.

Hu Girds for Political Reform By Willy Lam
(CNN.com. Jan. 15, 2003) New party chief Hu Jintao has created great expectations with his campaign to honor the constitution and the principle of rule by law.

China's New Leader Works to Set Himself Apart By Erik Eckholm
(New York Times, Jan. 12, 2003) In his first two months as Communist Party chief, the formerly faceless Hu Jintao has moved swiftly to create an image for himself as a champion of China's forgotten poor.

Chinese Leadership Signals Change By Wang Dan
(Taipei Times, Jan. 2, 2003) On Dec. 20, during the second meeting of the ninth Beijing Party Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), party secretary and Beijing Mayor Liu Qi made some extraordinary remarks about democratic politics.

'Civilization' Balances Bickering CCP Factions By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(CNN.com, Jan. 1, 2003) Insiders call it political civilization. This is the Fourth Generation leadership's euphemism for depicting the delicate factional balance that will characterize Chinese politics in the foreseeable future.

Hu Shows His Revolutionary Tinge By Lin Chong-Pin
(Taipei Times, Dec 23, 2002) Hu will establish his leadership sooner or later if his health condition allows. But, even if Hu breaks away from Jiang's control, Hu's central authority will probably not be as powerful Jiang's today.

Hu Strikes Back at Jiang By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(CNN.com, Dec. 17, 2002) Hu Jintao is striking back -- in his inimitably understated manner. The new Communist Party General Secretary has in a roundabout fashion told President Jiang Zemin and his Shanghai Faction they have gone too far in their power grab.

Hu's New Deal By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Dec. 4, 2002) The new deal can be summarized as prosperity under one-party rule, more upward mobility, a relatively efficient and clean government -- but no "Western-style democracy."

Discord Between Jiang and Hu Surfaces over Power By Ching Cheong
(Straits Times, Dec. 2, 2002) With the Chinese President announcing that he still calls the shots, his successor may well be in for a difficult time.

Jiang Stayed to Help Hu Deal with PLA By Nan Li
(Straits Times, Nov. 30, 2002) Jiang Zemin's retention of the chair of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Military Commission, the highest military decision-making body in China, has prompted diverse interpretations.

China's Hu Jintao Drops Out of Sight
(Associated Press, Nov. 30, 2002) Hu Jintao may be China's new top communist, but he's hardly letting it show. Two weeks after his debut as party general secretary, China's vice president has all but disappeared from view.

Jiang's 'Thought' Deified in His Own Time By Frank Ching
(Japan Times, Nov. 28, 2002) The constitution of China's Communist Party, revised at the recent 16th Party Congress, elevates President Jiang Zemin to virtually the same level as that of party founder Mao Zedong and the late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping.

China's Leading Men: Rivals...and Partners By Jason Leow
(Straits Times, Nov. 25, 2002) Hu, the engineer, is an experienced governor but Zeng, the princeling, has influence among the vocal middle classes.

Zeng's Ranking at No. 5 Begins to Make Sense By Jason Leow
(Straits Times, Nov. 23, 2002) As Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party's central committee secretariat, Mr Zeng will be privy to virtually all aspects of party work.

The New Deal in Beijing By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, Nov. 21, 2002) So far as its main purpose--ensuring a smooth, orderly political succession--is concerned, the 16th Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Congress has spawned as many problems as it has solved.

One Leader Too Many? By Susan V. Lawrence
(Far Eastern Economic Review, Nov. 28, 2002) Jiang Zemin isn't fading away into retirement. Sure, he gave up the party leadership to Hu Jintao, but for now he is still officially China's No. 1 leader and is only going to relinquish his powers gradually.

Beijing's New Leaders and Taiwan By Richard Bush
(Taipei Times, Nov. 20, 2002) Will the new leadership transition in China result in a new approach -- either positive or negative -- to the Taiwan Strait issue? The short answer is: not likely.

Hu's In Charge? By Matthew Forney
(TIME, Nov. 25, 2002) Jiang Zemin followed the script and stepped down as General Secretary of China's Communist Party, but his last-minute power play could spell trouble 

Hu's the New Leader
(Editorial, Straits Times, Nov. 19, 2002) The smooth leadership change in Beijing last week will bolster China's political stability. It also bodes well for the rest of the world, particularly Asia.

New China Leaders Look to Face World
(AP, Nov. 17, 2002) If it wasn't clear enough already, the generational leadership change of the Communist Party revealed exactly what propels today's China: a frantic longing for better tomorrows, the same fuel that fired the revolution of Mao -- but with a profit motive.

China's Governance Crisis and Bush's New Challenge By Minxin Pei
(Carnegie Endowment, Policy Brief 21, Nov. 2002) China's leadership transition occurs at a critical juncture. Beijing's new leaders face an emerging governance crisis that consists of a decaying ruling party, deteriorating state capacity, and brewing regime-society tensions.

Jiang Ensures Party Endures By Susan V. Lawrence
(Far Eastern Economic Review, Nov. 21, 2002) Before he leaves, Communist Party boss Jiang Zemin unveils a raft of reforms to please business and foreign investors. His legacy lies in his dismantling of ideological barriers to the party's survival.

Hu Takes China's Helm with Jiang in Shadows
(Reuters, Nov. 15, 2002) China's Hu Jintao took the helm of the world's most populous nation to steer its booming economy and maintain tight Communist Party control with predecessor Jiang Zemin pulling strings from retirement.

Jiang's 'Three Represents' Theory to Meet Demands of Changing China By Jiang An
(Straits Times, Nov. 15, 2002) It justifies the Communist Party in a post-communist world while expanding its support base in a market economy.

Jiang Remains Power Behind Throne By Willy Lam
(CNN, Nov. 14, 2002) Jiang is likely for the foreseeable future to remain the nation's most important politician thanks to the large number of Central Committee members who come from the Jiang or Shanghai Faction.

Chinese Politics Still a Personality Game By Frank Ching
(Japan Times, Nov. 12, 2002) The voluntary handover of power by Chinese President Jiang Zemin to a younger leadership is a step toward the institutionalization of China's political system.

'One Country, Two Systems', 'Three Represents', 'Four News'...
(Reuters, Nov. 11, 2002) Got it all figured out? Jiang continues to rattle off more numerical buzzwords as delegates try to decipher the codes.

China's Leader Opens Party To the Country's New Rich By John Pomfret and Philip P. Pan
(WP, November 8, 2002) President Jiang Zemin opened an important congress of the Chinese Communist Party today by signaling his intention to retire from his formal posts and by cementing the party's shift away from China's dispossessed and toward its new rich.

Under Jiang, Party Changed to Remain in Power By John Pomfret
(Washington Post, Nov. 7, 2002) Communist apparatus still rules China, though country has been transformed. The Jiang period was one of subtle but profound political, economic and social transformation.

China Can't Drag Its Feet on Serious Reforms By Anthony Saich
(Straits Times, Nov. 7, 2002) The real challenge facing China's new leaders is providing good governance for their rapidly changing economy and society.

Top Contenders Emerge to Oversee China Foreign Policy By Benjamin Kang Lim
(Reuters, Nov. 6, 2002) A Kremlinologist member of the ancestor-worshipping Tujia ethnic group and two experts on the United States have emerged as top contenders to become China's next foreign policy overlord.

Who is Hu Jintao? By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Nov. 4, 2002) A brilliant engineering student at the elite Tsinghua University, Hu, 59, is one of the handful of senior cadres who have spent a large chunk of their career in western China.

How Will the World Remember Jiang Zemin?
(CNN.com, Nov. 3, 2002) During his 13 years as general secretary of the Communist Party and nearly ten years as president, Jiang has mixed economic freedom and political control to move forward the so-called 'market socialism.'

Now Communist, Now Capitalist: China's System Faces Identity Crisis as New Leadership Nears By Ted Anthony
(Associated Press, Oct. 31, 2002) Such is the curious cocktail that is China in the 21st century: equal parts communism and socialism mixed with a liberal dash of capitalism.

Storm of Controversy over CCP Jockeying By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Oct. 30, 2002) The intensifying infighting over political succession in the Communist party says much about rivalry among the cliques -- and the Machiavellian if not unconstitutional means that Jiang and his colleagues have employed to preserve their vested interests.

Reshuffle Cements Jiang's Hold on Power By Ching Cheong
(Straits Times, Oct. 24, 2002) Whether or not he retires after the party congress, the Chinese President has made sure he will still be calling the shots.

Jiang Seen Failing in Bid To Keep Posts By John Pomfret
(Washington Post, October 21, 2002) A bid by President Jiang Zemin to deviate from long-standing succession plans and remain in all his government and Communist Party posts appears to have failed in the face of widespread opposition in the Chinese leadership.

China’s Changing of the Guard By Melinda Liu and William Dobson
(Newsweek, Oct. 21, 2002) Becoming the leader of the People’s Republic of China is all about survival. The most important work for the next generation of leaders is facing up to the anachronisms of their political system, not deciding their pecking order.

China's New Leaders Face Urgent Problems of Corruption and Poverty
(AFP, Oct. 13, 2002) No one knows for sure who will take the helm in China after a key Communist Party meeting next month. But whoever the new leaders are, they must urgently tackle a dizzying array of problems.

China Waits for ‘Real Reform' to Blossom By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Oct. 9, 2002) The 16th Chinese Communist Party Congress may prove disappointing to those who hope the watershed conclave will set a bold new agenda for political reform.

China Leader Change Tests Jiang's 'Shanghai Gang' By Erin Prelypchan
(Reuters, Oct. 5, 2002) The competing interests of other political factions, and frustration at favoritism shown to a city the rest of China both admires and scorns, could throw a wrench in the works for many of the Shanghai-born or -trained elites.

Jiang 'Successor' Keeps Veil of Mystery By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Oct. 4, 2002) Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao is pursuing a "three nos" policy in order not to be seen as upstaging his more senior colleagues or party elders.

Jiang Rolls Last Diplomatic Dice By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Sep. 25, 2002) Chinese President Jiang Zemin is wrestling with a series of thorny diplomatic issues in his last couple of months as Communist party General Secretary and head of its Leading Group on Foreign Affairs.

Time for the Changing of China's Aging Guard — or Not By Erik Eckholm
(New York Times, Sep. 22, 2002) While enormous attention has been focused on the huge turnover expected among Communist Party leaders in November, at the 16th Party Congress, equally sweeping changes are expected in the top ranks of the Chinese military.

The Faces Of China's Future By David Ignatius
(Washington Post, Sep. 20, 2002) China is an eerily apolitical country as it heads toward what is described officially as a momentous congress of the Communist Party in November that will choose a new leadership for the country.

China's Communist Party Dances to Capitalist Tune By Jeremy Page
(Reuters, Sep. 19, 2002) The five-yearly congress could even appoint a handful of tycoons to the party central committee, the 200 most powerful people in China, analysts say.

China's Leaders Battle for Place in History By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Sep. 18, 2002) It's the legacy thing. The activities of the top leaders the last month or so before the 16th Communist party congress tell a lot about their personalities, worldviews -- and the future of reform.

At Last, the Rise of People Power in China By David Wall
(Japan Times, Sep. 16, 2002) Three Represents are, in fact, quite revolutionary. The first is the recognition that the CPC now depends on the private sector to secure its continuation in power.

Jiang Turns Back the Clock By Willy Lam
(Jamestown Foundation, Sep. 12, 2002) The damage has already been done. Whether Jiang Zemin will give up all his positions at the 16th Communist Party Congress aside, his efforts at recycling dynastic politics over the past several months have turned the clock back on reform.

Jiang Finds It Hard To Let Go By Susan V. Lawrence
(Far Eastern Economic Review, Sep. 12, 2002) Many expected Jiang Zemin to step down this year as head of the Chinese Communist Party and make way for Hu Jintao. A series of meetings, combined with tough new challenges, seem to have changed all that.

Generational Transition in China By Joseph Fewsmith
(Washington Quarterly, August 2002) Will the transition to China's so-called "fourth generation" be smooth, and how much of a difference will their ascendance really make?

China's New Leadership May Rule Under Jiang's Shadow By Ching Cheong
(Straits Times, Aug. 22, 2002) Mr Jiang created a situation where he made himself indispensable in the future leadership, regardless of whether or not he held any specific posts.

Jiang Bids to Retain Power By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Aug. 19, 2002) Chinese President Jiang Zemin is trying to persuade several key Politburo members to agree to his retaining the post of Communist party general secretary for at least a few more years.

The Chinese Labyrinth
(Editorial, New York Times, Aug. 18, 2002) China's urgent need for political reform is underscored by the current succession uncertainties. China needs a modernized political system to go along with its modernized economy.

China's Next Leaders Face Tough Market Reforms By Scott Hillis
(Reuters, Aug. 9, 2002) China's future leaders are committed to market-oriented reform started by their predecessors, but may lack the confidence to push on with painful changes seen crucial to long-term economic health

Jiang's Staying Power Threatens Reform By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, July 31, 2002 ) A growing controversy over Jiang Zemin's apparent desire to hang on to the post of Communist party chief has inflicted considerable damage to the Chinese president's legacy -- and the prospects of reform.

Chinese Leaders Head for the Seaside to Play Power Politics By Richard McGregor
(Financial Times, July 29, 2002) The leaders' meeting has an elevated importance this year. It precedes what is likely to be the first substantial leadership change in China since Jiang Zemin's appointment.

Jiang's Struggle to Retain Supremacy Divides Party  By Hsia Wen-szu
(Taipei Times, July 29, 2002) An orchestrated campaign to have China's president keep most of his influential posts is being played out in the media, and it's not yet clear if he can succeed.

China's Possible Leadership after Jiang By Ching Cheong
(Straits Times, July 26, 2002) President Jiang Zemin's indecisiveness about his own future role in China's new leadership structure has delayed decisions on who would form the Standing Committee of the Communist Party's powerful Politburo and its Central Military Commission.

Beijing's Marching Orders By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, July 24, 2002) Much of the delicate relationship between the army and the Communist Party leadership can be seen from a discussion last week between Vice-President Hu Jintao and a group of demobilized soldiers.

Chinese Leader Throws a Curve By John Pomfret
(Washington Post, July 21, 2002; Page A01) Breaking with a long-standing succession plan, President Jiang Zemin appears to be angling to stay on as chairman of the Chinese Communist Party and is campaigning from the shadows to bolster his claim to retain power.

Jiang's Power Bid Clouds China's Leadership Transition By Jeremy Page
(Reuters, July 18, 2002) As Chinese leaders gather in the seaside resort of Beidaihe to thrash out details of a leadership change, rumours are spreading fast that Jiang Zemin is making a play to stay on as head of the Communist Party.

China's CCP Heads for the Battle of Beidaihe By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, July 16, 2002) This year's Beidaihe meeting promises to be particularly colorful -- and combative -- because it will finalize personnel arrangements and policies to be endorsed at the 16th CCP Congress slated for September.

China's President May Be Reluctant to Cede Power By Erick Eckholm
(New York Times, July 13, 2002) In what are supposed to be his final months as China's president and Communist Party chief, Jiang Zemin is being lionized in the official media as never before, provoking intense speculation about his ambitions to hold on to power in the years ahead.

Legacy-Building in Beijing By David Wall
(Japan Times, July 8, 2002) Chinese President Jiang Zemin has made another speech -- another important speech -- adding gloss to the landmark speech he made July 1 last year at the Communist Party of China's 80th birthday party.

China's New Leaders Ready to Take Centre Stage By James Kynge
(Financial Times, July 5, 2002) A growing number of Chinese and foreign analysts are now predicting that the generational transfer of power scheduled to take place at a key Communist party congress this autumn may be relatively smooth.

Jiang: Reformer or Rehasher? By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, May 29, 2002) President Jiang Zemin is spearheading an attempt at a new thought liberation movement he hopes will help re-invent China -- and consolidate his legacy as a reformer.

Changing Face of China's Ruling Party By Ching Cheong
(Straits Times, May 15, 2002) The working class and the pro-capitalist regime in Beijing are on a collision course, and it partly accounts for the widespread industrial unrest.

China Looks to New Leadership By Georgie Anne Geyer
(Washington Times, Feb. 24, 2002) It was surely inevitable. Once the Chinese presented a new leader named "Hu," we didn't have a chance. So far, I have read no fewer than five headlines smartly asking, "Who's Hu?" And the word games have only begun.

Hu Jintao: Stepping into the Spotlight 
(Nixon Center, Jan. 29, 2002) Just as Hu comes to power though, China will be confronting major, perhaps even existential, challenges. The U.S.-China relationship, Taiwan’s drift toward independence, and WTO induced economic dislocation have enormous implications for China; Hu’s views on these matters have not been clearly articulated.

Zhu: Life in the Old Cadre Yet By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(CNN.com, Jan. 16, 2002) There's life in the 73-year-old cadre yet. With less than 14 months left in his one-term premiership, Zhu Rongji is very much in the news. These remarks show while Zhu seems to be on the defensive in Beijing's perennial factional struggles, the premier wants to leave a legacy that is commensurate with his reputation as a master reformer.

China's New Leadership is Already Picked By Jasper Becker
(South China Morning Post, Jan. 10, 2002) The new Chinese leadership has already been decided, months ahead of the 16th Communist Party Congress. President Jiang Zemin - who will step aside for Hu Jintao - plans to make his closest protege, Zeng Qinghong, vice-president.

China's Heir Apparent in Debut on the World Stage By Erik Eckholm
(New York Times, Oct. 29, 2001) The vice president is Hu Jintao, and to the cognoscenti of Chinese politics his journey is filled with meaning. As he makes the trip, which began in Russia and continues in Britain, his every word will be scrutinized, and not only in Washington and other foreign capitals, but also at home.

China's Heir Apparent to Step Out of the Shadows By Jeremy Page
(Reuters, Aug. 21, 2001) China's enigmatic Vice President Hu Jintao, tipped to take over as Communist Party chief next year, plans to step from the shadows with his first high-profile visit overseas this year. To his European hosts, it will offer a rare glimpse of the man likely to succeed Jiang in the top jobs in a country of 1.3 billion people.