China Elects A New President Who May Be Something Of A Reformist

With all the hullabaloo surrounding the election of a new Pope, China’s appointment of a new President has taken a backseat in the media.

59-year-old Xi Jinping was officially made head of the largest nation and second largest economy in the world Thursday, taking over for former President Hu Jintao under whom Jingping formerly served as Vice President. Jingping was a shoe-in after being voted head of the Communist Party and chairman of the Chinese Army last November. He was, in fact, the only candidate on the ticket.

Jingping has been touring China for some months, meeting with citizens of each social class and vowing to take on hardliners, bring about economic reform and promote the “Chinese Dream” by nurturing middle class aspirations.

While he has expressed a desire to institute certain changes, including reducing the power of the state in the market, many see the Chinese Presidency as nothing more than a rubber stamp for Party decisions. Jingping, however, has expressed a desire to tackle the issue of corruption in the Party. He also seems to be using the idea of domestic rejuvenation as a means to hasten economic reforms while shielding himself from accusations of being too liberal or soft on America.