China braces for biggest leadership transition in almost a decade
BEIJING, March 3: China’s nominal lower house of parliament started its annual meeting Monday under tight security as the country braced for the biggest leadership transition in almost a decade.
The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a 2,238-member assembly, kicked off its annual full session at the Great Hall of the People near Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.
The delegates, which includes representatives of non-Communist parties and other organizations, began meetings two days ahead of the 2,900-member National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s legislature which will usher in a generational change in the top political leadership.
Once the two bodies have completed their sessions mid-month, Hu Jintao is likely to have added the state presidency to the leadership of the Communist Party which he was given in November.
Hu stands at the head of China’s so-called fourth generation of leaders, who are being handed the torch by the group of politicians around Jiang Zemin who have governed the country since 1989.
Delegates entering the Great Hall said they were happy about the handover of power.
“These are the best leaders in our party and country,” said Chen Wenhua, from the southwestern province of Sichuan.
Even Communist Party founding father Mao Zedong would have been pleased, according to CPPCC delegate Shao Hua, the late chairman’s daughter-in-law.
“He would be very happy,” said Shao, adding that Hu seemed “very capable”.
Delegates’ predictions about who will take up the other top government posts reflected longtime speculations.
Analysts say Vice Premier Wen Jiabao will assume the premiership from Zhu Rongji while Jiang’s right-hand man, Zeng Qinghong, will become vice president.
Vice Premier Wu Bangguo is expected to be the new chairman of the NPC, replacing Li Peng.
Delegates also believe Jiang will likely keep his post as chairman of the state’s Central Military Commission.
Jiang kept his position as chairman of the party military commission last November and delegates said it was unlikely that different people would serve in those two posts.
Less certain though is how long Jiang will stay on as military chief.
“It’s a very sensitive issue. Some people think he should not stay long. I personally think if he’s capable, he should continue on,” said Chen, who is also a top official of the Sichuan province procuratorate.
The “Two Meetings” — as the annual NPC and CPPCC meetings are called — are happening amidst heightened security concerns following explosions last week at China’s elite universities — Beijing University and Tsinghua University.
Nine people were injured, none seriously, in homemade bomb blasts at a cafeteria on each campus.
Some delegates were worried, sharing students’ and Beijingers’ belief that the explosions were a message of dissatisfaction with the government.
“The explosions seem to be a protest against the two meetings,” Chen said.
Security was particularly tight on Changan Boulevard, the main thoroughfare in Beijing, which runs adjacent to the Great Hall.
Sidewalks were lined with police, soldiers as well as “volunteer” street patrollers.
But other delegates said they were not worried.“Our country is very stable,” said Zhang Chongren, from the southern province of Guangxi.—AFP
