Beijing
As expected, Hu Jintao took over from Jiang Zemin as leader of China’s Politburo this week at the Communist Party Congress in Beijing. Hu, 59, is a protégé of Deng Xiaoping and is mainly known for declaring martial law in Tibet. It’s still unclear how quickly he will be able to wield real power. China watchers, ever attuned to the minutiae of party propaganda, made much of the photo placements in the People’s Daily article announcing the changeover. When Deng retired from the Politburo in 1987, his photo was placed below his successor’s. But Jiang’s photo is above Hu’s, prompting speculation that Jiang will continue to play a big role in Chinese politics.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Donald Trump takes a cognitive test | May 13 editorial cartoonsCartoons Tuesday's editorial cartoons feature a 'Bribe Force 1' 747 from Qatar, the concepts of a trade deal, ICE agents surrounding the Statue of Liberty, and cuts to Medicaid.
-
Why are white South Africans emigrating?The Explainer As the US welcomes Afrikaner refugees, the general exodus of South Africa's white population continues to grow
-
Why the weather keeps getting 'stuck'In the Spotlight Record hot and dry spring caused by 'blocked' area of high pressure above the UK
