May 15, 2003	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 12, 1424

BEIJING: Seizing opportunity from crisis over the SARS epidemic, Hu Jintao is emerging from his first real test as China’s new president with a surer grip on power.

In late April, the political climate could hardly have been less welcoming for the president, who took the office in March to cap a sweeping leadership transition.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome was spreading rapidly in Beijing despite repeated government claims it was under control. China’s international image was suffering under intense criticism for the cover-up.

Powerful predecessor Jiang Zemin, 76, hovered in the wings, still heading the military. Jiang’s chief protege Zeng Qinghong, stood poised should Hu, 60, fumble.

Hu and the new leadership responded dramatically in late April. They ended the cover-up, launched a probe into the true state of the epidemic and ordered measures to stem its spread. They fired the health minister and Beijing mayor.

Hu and his ally in the war on SARS, Premier Wen Jiabao, also launched a campaign to laud health care workers on the SARS front lines.

“Hu has become a hero. If the social and economic costs are not too high, Hu’s status would become unshakeable and Jiang could become irrelevant,” said a Chinese academic.

Hu’s battle is not without risk. The probe revealed Beijing was on its way to having the world’s highest number of SARS cases. New openness sparked panic in the city and riots in the countryside.

The economic toll mounted as airports, restaurants and hotels emptied, foreign business visits and deals were postponed and the exodus of migrant workers from Beijing slowed construction.

PRESSURE EASING: But a marked decline in the number of cases in Beijing — now reporting about 50 cases a day after weeks of more than 100 — has eased some of the pressure.

“The SARS crisis is a test for Hu, but also an opportunity to consolidate power,” said Kou Chien-wen, an expert on Hu at Taiwan’s National Chengchi University.

A crisis some analysts said could lead to a political rift has so far amounted to shadow boxing between the new and former leaders.—Reuters