Recent developments in China’s domestic and international policy demonstrate Jiang Zemin’s refusal to cede power to his successors, according to a front page article in the New York Times.
The piece offers three notable examples in which Jiang’s will has won out over the possible reformist tendencies of Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao: Jiang reportedly outlawed the use of the term “peaceful rise” in describing China’s evolving role in international affairs; Jiang made the decision to arrest Jiang Yanyong and subject him to political indoctrination sessions; and he has been responsible for the harder line taken on Taiwan. In a meeting with Condaleezza Rice, Jiang told her that he is “handing over more and more power” to Hu – apparently a message that he remains in ultimate charge of the country.
