Jiang’s Retirement and Hu Era

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China Reaffirms Resolve to 'Reunify the Country'
(Straits Times, Sep. 22, 2004) Beijing accuses President Chen of escalating separatist activities and vows to oppose and curb forces seeking Taiwan's independence.

Chen Urges Caution after Shift of Power
(Taiwan News, Sep. 21, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian warned against having "unrealistic expectations" that China's new military leader would initiate a more conciliatory line toward Taiwan.

Taipei Hoping for More Stable Relations
(Reuters, Sep. 20, 2004) Taiwan welcomed the resignation of Chinese military chief Jiang Zemin, seeing relations with the mainland becoming more stable under his successor, Mr Hu Jintao.

Hu Takes Full Power in China as He Gains Control of Military
(New York Times, Sep. 20, 2004) China's president, Hu Jintao, replaced Jiang Zemin as the country's military chief and de facto top leader, completing the first orderly transfer of power in the history of China's Communist Party.

Hu Replaces Jiang as China Military Chief
(Reuters, Sep. 19, 2004) Jiang Zemin gave up the top job in China's military on Sunday, handing over the post to Communist Party chief Hu Jintao and completing a historic leadership transition to a younger generation.

China: Succession Sealed By David Murphy and David Lague
(Far Eastern Economic Review, Sep. 30, 2004) After months of speculation over a leadership struggle with his predecessor Hu Jintao has finally secured his undisputed position at China's helm. Don't expect major change.

PRC's New Paramount Leader Unlikely to Soften on Taiwan
(Editorial, China Post, Sep. 23, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian was right when he urged the people of Taiwan not to harbor any "unrealistic expectations" over Hu Jintao.

Landmark Power Transfer in China
(Editorial, Japan Times, Sep. 22, 2004) This is the first time in modern Chinese history that a political transition has gone smoothly and as planned. That alone is reason to have hope for China and its future.

... as China Moves to More of the Same
(Editorial, The Age, Sep. 22, 2004) The latest change in the Chinese Communist Party leadership promises no new thinking.

With Transition, New Uncertainty for China's Authoritarian System By Philip P. Pan (Washington Post, Sep. 21, 2004) Jiang's departure might prompt new demands for political liberalization from a society that already enjoys the fruits of economic freedom.

Where Hu stands on U.S., Taiwan By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Sep. 20, 2004) Chinese leadership under President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao may pursue a more aggressive policy towards the United States and Taiwan.

China Uses Taiwan as Political Tool By Chang Wu-ueh
(Taipei Times, Sep. 18, 2004) Policy on Taiwan is often influenced by power struggles and there is therefore a need to accurately analyze the internal affairs of China to avoid errors of judgment.

Behind the Red Curtain - Power Struggle in China By Leslie Fong
(Straits Times, Sep. 16, 2004) The world should know by Sunday whether Chinese strongman Jiang Zemin will, at long last, loosen his grip on power and go into full retirement.

Hu: Copying Western Political Systems "A Blind Alley for China"
(People’s Daily, Sep. 15, 2004) President Hu said that history proves following blindly western political systems would lead China to a dead end, and China's current people's congress system has strong vitality and great superiority.

Eyes on China's VP as Jiang Retirement Talk Swirls By Benjamin Kang Lim (Reuters, Sep. 13, 2004) Speculation swirling over the possible retirement of China's military chief Jiang Zemin has raised questions as to what the future could hold for his closest ally, Vice President Zeng Qinghong.

Beijing's Closed Politics Hinders "New Diplomacy" By Minxin Pei
(Financial Times, Sep. 12, 2004) Since Hu Jintao took over the diplomatic portfolio in March 2003, Beijing has demonstrated a rare willingness to use its growing influence in promoting east Asian economic integration and security.

If Jiang Quits Military Post It May Help PRC Reforms
(Editorial, China Post, Sep. 11, 2004) Jiang's drive to continue to head the powerful military has severely split the mainland leadership. There has been widespread perception among the mainland Chinese that there are two central governing authorities existing in Beijing.

China Military Chief Drags Feet on Retirement By Brian Rhoads and Benjamin Kang Lim (Reuters, Sep. 10, 2004) China's military chief, Jiang Zemin, is hanging on to his last top job in the face of growing pressure to hand over to Communist Party chief Hu Jintao at a party meeting next week.

Jiang Not Going to Quit Top Military Post Soon By Ching Cheong
(Straits Times, Sep. 8, 2004) Contrary to speculation, the signs are that Chinese strongman Jiang Zemin wants to hang on to the top military job that gives him the ultimate say in all major policies.

China Ex-President May Be Set to Yield Last Powerful Post By Joseph Kahn (New York Times, Sep. 7, 2004) Jiang Zemin, China's military chief and senior leader, has told Communist Party officials that he plans to resign, prompting an intense and so far inconclusive struggle for control of the armed forces.

China's 2 Top Leaders Square Off in Contest to Run Policy By Joseph Kahn (New York Times, Sep. 2, 2004) As China's leaders prepare to gather for a national planning session, the country's two top officials, Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin, are engaged in an increasingly pointed power struggle that has begun to create cracks in the one-party system.