Xi Jinping: China’s New Boss And The ‘L’ Word

Sure enough, Xi's recent record has been carefully conservative. During a brief stint as Shanghai party secretary from last March to October, Xi "didn't touch any of the sensitive, thorny issues," says Jin, such as the massive pension-fund scandal that had toppled his predecessor or the detention of local activists. Instead, Xi dutifully promoted Beijing's policies, including its prescriptions for more measured growth.

Expect more of the same in Xi's new roles, which include being party point man on Hong Kong. Democrats there have been clamoring for full suffrage, and the city's tabloids are following Xi's every move to see what he might deliver. Brookings scholar Cheng Li notes that Xi "has not been impressive" in recent ventures. Still, he has an "open-minded leadership style." And under the circumstances—with an uptight, micromanaging Hu Jintao still in charge of China—open-minded is probably the most anyone should hope for.

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