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Hu Jintao to lead China for five more years
2007-10-22
Chinese President Hu Jintao was on Monday named as head of the ruling Communist Party for a second term, an endorsement for him to lead the country for five more years. Hu, 64, was named as party general secretary and head of the elite Standing Committee of the Politburo, which is the most powerful political body in the country. "We are keenly aware of our difficult task and grave responsibilities," Hu told reporters as the new leadership team appeared before the press. "We will do our best to be worthy of the great trust the entire membership places in us." Hu was also re-named by the Central Committee to a second term as chairman of the party's Central Military Commission, China's top military post. The reappointments are seen as further institutionalising the party's leadership transition mechanism, which was often torn by in-fighting. Since Hu's predecessor Jiang Zemin came to power following the crushing of the 1989 Tiananmen democracy protests, the party has sought to guarantee two five-year terms for top leaders. Following his re-appointments as head of the party and military, Hu is widely expected to receive a second term as state president when parliament meets in March next year.
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