Communist reshuffle strengthens Hu

Taking the stage after being re-anointed as Communist Party leader, President Hu Jintao struck a typically humble note Monday, thanking ordinary Chinese for their confidence while never mentioning the bruising effort that brought him the crowning moment.

In his characteristically low-key fashion over the past five years, Hu has put his stamp on China’s direction, sidelined key rivals, took over as head of the military and positioned himself as pre-eminent leader.

In the past five years, “Hu was certainly first among equals. Now there are no such clear equals,” said Cheng Li, a watcher of elite Chinese politics at Washington’s Brookings Institution. “Hu Jintao is doing very well.”

Beijing, Tuesday, (AP)