News-19 Jan 13: XI JINPING TO HEAD BOTH PARTY AND MILITARY IN CHINA

XI JINPING TO HEAD BOTH PARTY AND MILITARY IN CHINA

Xi Jinping, the 59-year-old 'princeling' son of a former politburo member, was on November 15, 2012, pronounced the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC)
and the head of the party's Central Military Committee, marking an end to a once-in-a  decade  leadership transition process. Mr. Xi and six other leaders to constitute the Party's highest body— The Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC)—were presented as the faces of the next generation of leaders as outgoing leader Hu Jintao relinquished his posts as Head of the CPC and Chairman of the military. The party has reduced the size of the elite inner circle from nine to seven, underscoring long-standing moves, analysts said, to make the top body more efficient and nimble, and less riven by competing factional interests  seen  as  stalling  reform moves.

The composition of the PBCS was along expected lines, filled by four officials close to former leader Jiang Zemin and two others who rose under the outgoing General Secretary Hu Jintao.

This reflects  the continuing  influence the two leaders will wield from behind the scene, as   Mr. Xi, known as a pragmatic and consensus building leader, looks to make his mark. Mr. Hu will continue serving as President until March, 2013.

Mr. Xi was flanked by second-ranked Li Keqiang (57), who will take over as Premier when Wen Jiabao steps down at the March Parliament session.

The other members, in order of rank, were announced, as: Zhang Dejiang (66), Chongqing Party Secretary; Yu Zhengsheng (67), Shanghai Party Secretary;  Liu Yunshan (65), a senior propaganda official; Wang Qishan (64), a Vice Premier in charge of economic affairs and Zhang Gaoli (66), Party Secretary in Tianjin.

The selection of the seven leaders and the 25-member Politburo was approved at a meeting of the newly appointed 376-member 18th Central Committee, which was chosen at the closing session of the week-long National Congress.

The approval was seen as a formality, with the list of leaders thought to be finalised after months of bargaining among the Party's various interest groups. Mr. Hu and Mr. Jiang have both been pushing for their allies to secure posts.

 In his first speech as the head of the Party, Mr. Xi thanked the CPC for the trust placed in the new leadership and spoke of 'severe challenges' the new generation of leaders will face.

"Our people yearn for better education, more stable jobs, more income, greater social security, better medical and healthcare, improved housing conditions, and a better environment", he said, "The people's desire for a better life is what we shall fight for".

Mr. Xi made three references in his brief address to "the great renewal of the Chinese nation" and the Party's role in China's revival, suggesting that the theme—popular with Chinese nationalists - might emerge as a rallying point under his leadership as the CPC looks for ways to renew its legitimacy amid rising concerns on inequality and corruption.

He also outlined several 'severe challenges 'the new leadership will face, highlighting "problems among Party members of corruption, taking bribes, being out of touch with the people, and an undue emphasis on going through formalities and bureaucratism".

The Party, Mr. Xi said, had "every reason to be proud" of its accomplishments in leading a revival of the Chinese nation. 'Proud', he added, 'but not complacent'.

China, Taiwan Extend Olive Branches after Xi's Promotion

The leaders of China and long-time rival Taiwan had rare direct political contact on November 15, 2012 after Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou sent congratulatory messages to China's new and outgoing Communist Party leaders, Xi Jinping and Hu Jintao. China and Taiwan have been ruled separately since defeated. Nationalist forces fled to the island at the end of a civil war in 1949. China has never ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. Relations have improved dramatically since Ma's election in 2008, with a series of trade and tourism deals signed. There has been no progress towards political reconciliation or a lessening of military distrust.