Financial Times (January 1)
From the onset, Xi Jinping has set a new tone as general secretary of the Communist party. China needs far sweeping reforms as it works to boost domestic demand, strengthen the social safety net, improve governance, and empower consumers and free enterprise. He “should be bold in pushing change” and avoid hiding “reform behind tougher foreign policy.” Dialing down the intensity of territorial disputes would “be a boon for regional peace and security. It would also allow Mr Xi to concentrate on his very real problems at home.”
New York Times (November 14)
Xi Jinping is poised to replace Hu Jintao as general secretary this week and president next March. “It could be sometime before the new relationships shake out and the world gets a clear sense of how Mr. Xi and his new colleagues intend to make their mark.” Will they continue on the same course or chose reform? Either way, they will confront challenge. China “faces daunting domestic and international challenges…. growth has slowed, state-run enterprises remain dominant in most industries and the gap between rich and poor is among the widest anywhere. Social and political unrest is increasing.”
Tags: Challenges, China, Hu Jintao, Reform, Unrest, Xi Jinping
Financial Times (September 11)
“Xi Jinping was being groomed to become the next general secretary of the Communist party and hence president of China. The only thing that remained was to set the date for the 18th party congress and anoint him. There is just one problem with this well-choreographed transition: Mr Xi has disappeared.” Missing for more than a week, Chinese authorities are acting as if nothing is wrong and denying the existence of Mr. Xi’s previously scheduled meetings. Did he have a heart attack? A car accident? Rumors are swirling and internet searches for “back injury,” the official excuse for his absence, are being blocked by government censors.
Tags: China, Communist party, Party congress, President, Xi Jinping
