(S)election '07
A different kind of election--one absent the advertisements, polls, and predictions--is also occurring in China. This week the Chinese Communist Party kicked off the 17th National Congress, a week-long gathering of leading Party officials from across the country. The Congress occurs once every five years and provides an occasion for officials to reflect on the Party's history, promote new broad governing principles, and select a new slate of top Party leaders. Some argue that the latter is the most notable--and least predictable--of the week's proceedings.
We will not know for sure until next week, but most estimates suggest that two spots on the Politburo's Standing Committee--which constitutes the most powerful group of individuals in China--will go to two young rising stars in the Party. Some believe these two could go on to become the most powerful men in all the land, provided they stay in the good graces of the top leadership. The names to keep an eye on are Li Keqiang, Party head of Liaoning Province, and Xi Jinping, Party head of Shanghai.
The new members of the Standing Committee may provide for us some insight into the future of Chinese politics. Li Keqiang and Xi Jinping, for instance, do not share the professional or revolutionary experiences of China's oldest leaders, and their records likely reflect a different approach to policy-making. (I must confess that I am not familiar with their work.) Although the new members will represent a small minority on the Standing Committee, their generation's experience will add a new perspective.
Make no mistake, even with the new leadership, no groundbreaking political reforms are on the horizon. As most American papers enjoy pointing out over and over and over again (New York Times headline reads: "China's Leader Closes Door to Reform"), these leaders are in no rush to burn their bridges.
In this week of behind-the-scenes deal-making and consultations, in contrast to Mark's cynicism (all in good fun!), let's enjoy the onslaught of presidential politics. I suppose it's better than no onslaught at all.
We will not know for sure until next week, but most estimates suggest that two spots on the Politburo's Standing Committee--which constitutes the most powerful group of individuals in China--will go to two young rising stars in the Party. Some believe these two could go on to become the most powerful men in all the land, provided they stay in the good graces of the top leadership. The names to keep an eye on are Li Keqiang, Party head of Liaoning Province, and Xi Jinping, Party head of Shanghai.
The new members of the Standing Committee may provide for us some insight into the future of Chinese politics. Li Keqiang and Xi Jinping, for instance, do not share the professional or revolutionary experiences of China's oldest leaders, and their records likely reflect a different approach to policy-making. (I must confess that I am not familiar with their work.) Although the new members will represent a small minority on the Standing Committee, their generation's experience will add a new perspective.
Make no mistake, even with the new leadership, no groundbreaking political reforms are on the horizon. As most American papers enjoy pointing out over and over and over again (New York Times headline reads: "China's Leader Closes Door to Reform"), these leaders are in no rush to burn their bridges.
In this week of behind-the-scenes deal-making and consultations, in contrast to Mark's cynicism (all in good fun!), let's enjoy the onslaught of presidential politics. I suppose it's better than no onslaught at all.
posted by Nandi at 9:58 AM
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