The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) 16th National Congress has produced China's new leadership. But the biggest challenge facing Hu Jintao (
The 16th National Congress reflected two aspects of globalization that have had a deep impact -- Chinese President Jiang Zemin's (
Globalization is destined to turn China into a wealthy and robust civil society. The vitality of China's development will be clearly shown by the nation's massive and vigorous productive forces. Not only will the private sector continue to be allowed to thrive, but it will cooperate with the public sector, becoming the main force of social development. In addition, the party and the Chinese government will cooperate more with business so that together they can boost social development. Also, resources from industry will constantly flow into each and every arena of public policy, becoming a key force behind government decisions. Advanced productive forces will inevitably become an important element in government decision making, which will be significantly influenced by the nation's entrepreneurs.
The congress faced up to this projected course of development, enshrining it in the charter. The demand for the CCP to represent "advanced productive forces" shows that the party is following the ideal of a civil society. It has also shown that China will expand the range of civil groups on every social level, so they can strengthen the vitality of its social development. This will be an important challenge to the "Hu-Wen system."
There is no doubt, however, that the Chinese government's policies and methods make it appear hesitant to develop social organizations. It is important to remember that the development of civil groups, social productivity and private entrepreneurs are the driving force of social development. This is why the "Hu-Wen system" faces a society with strong productivity. But it will now be confronted by private entrepreneurs with powerful voices from within the party. This may lead to an essential change in the CCP's structure and operation. The "Hu-Wen system" must handle this force in such a way as to guide social development, as well as to recruit new blood.
So the party faces a challenging balancing act. If the entre-preneurs within the party are too weak, they will be incapable of pushing the party's policies forward. If too strong, they will severely challenge the existing system and may disturb the balance of power, or even endanger the party's existing systems. The "Hu-Wen system" certainly faces a very difficult situation.
Many new faces have assumed important posts, taking the reins of power at different levels. Many of today's State Council officials were cadre members of Premier Zhu Rongji's (朱鎔基) financial and economic team. Today, we should not be obsessed with the question of whether the Chinese government is able to maintain a structure of "Hu following Jiang's rules" (江規胡隨) or "Wen following Zhu's rules" (朱規溫隨).
Instead, we should distinguish between the varied situations and problems that faced the "Jiang-Zhu system" and those which will face the "Hu-Wen system" under globalization. More importantly, is the "Hu-Wen system" capable of taking control of the new situation, and solving the current problems?
Tsao Jiun-han is a professor of politics at National Taiwan University.
TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG
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