The new leadership team under Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao began to consolidate power and make its mark on China's policy programmes since the autumn of 2002. While there is a well-established consensus on the challenges and problems facing China, the priorities and the policy solutions defined by the new leadership nonetheless have their distinct features. This volume tries to analyze the new leadership's perceptions of the challenges facing it, how it defines its priorities, builds up political support for its policy programmes and overcomes the resistance of vested interests. Attempts will also be made to evaluate its achievements so far. This edited volume involves a team of China experts contributing chapters on their respective areas of expertise. It is hoped that it will serve as an attractive reference book for China courses at the undergraduate level in local and Western universities. It also aims to serve as a useful and convenient reference for the general public such as bankers, business executives and journalists interested in China.
