Jiang Keeps His Post as Head of Central Military Commission

China’s Communist Party on Nov. 15 chose Vice President Hu Jintao as its new general secretary who will head the fourth generation of leaders.

Jiang Zemin was re-elected to head the party military commission and stacked the new Politburo Standing Committee with his close allies, ensuring he will have a continuing hand throughout the transitional period towards Hu`s leadership.

Chinese communists held the first full-member meeting for the 16th Central Committee of the Party National Congress held in the Great Hall of the People and elected a new generation nine-member leadership body.

The new Standing Committee, expanded from seven to nine members, includes Vice Premier Wu Bangguo, Vice Premier Wen Jiabao, Beijing`s former party boss Jia Qinglin, Head of Secretariat Zeng Qinghong, former Shanghai party chief Huang Ju, Shendong`s party boss Wu Guanzheng, Guangdong party chief Li Changchun and top law-enforcement official Luo Gan.

With Hu`s appointment as general secretary, China’s official news agencies also reported that Jiang kept his post as head of the Central Military Commission.

Having elected a new Politburo Standing Committee, the communist party will also name new officials to hold key posts in the party at a national congress set for next March.

˝China will continue to push for reforms following the lead of Deng Xiaoping ideology and Jiang’s Three Represents theory,˝ said Hu in his speech.

yshwang@donga.com