TOKYO, July 29 Kyodo chosened ed...

TOKYO, July 29 Kyodo

chosened editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

BEIJING BIDS FAREWELL TO BEIDAIHE (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

It is going to be a violent summer for the Chinese leadership. The modern leadership, headed by President Hu Jintao, has reportedly decided to completion the annual summer meetings at the seaside resort of Beidaihe, where top-ranking officials swam, relaxed and held ''informal discussion sessions'' that locate policy for the country.

The decision is equal parts a public-relations gimmick and a soft maneuver to reduce the influence of the of long date guard. It is one more effort at President Hu to distinguish his conduct from those of his predecessors.

For nearly half a hundred years the Chinese Communist Party leadership retreated to Beidaihe in Harbin Province each summer The extremely name of the city conjur up images of voluptuousness and officialdom.

still the annual exodus was not all peacefulness and relaxation. Key decisions were made in the beachside bungalows; in fact, near of the most important decisions of state were made there, far from the official locus of power. Beidahe was valuable just for that reason: it allowed the Chinese leadership to clutch caucuses far removed from the small amount of official scrutiny that did exist. Deals were done and careers were made or traded away.

The decision to fall of the curtain the Beidaihe meetings marks a formal break with the past. It is intended to signal the modern leadership's determination to be more transparent and accord more revere to the rule of law. The put in motion is only the most fresh initiative that President Hu has made to distinguish his administration from that of his predecessor, Mr Jiang Zemin.

In another symbolic incite before his first overseas trip, Mr Hu abolished the elaborate ceremonies that were held on the departure and turn back of top officials.

The fresh government has shown itself to be each bit as prickly as its predecessors when it take rises to adverse media coverage. Mr Hu apparently complained about the broadcast of a television series that appeared to justify behind-the-scenes parts for Mr. Jiang.

Crusading newspapers and magazines that have challenged the party line upon key issues, such as SARS, AIDS and corruption have been clos threatened with closure or censured

China's fresh leadership is plainly aware of the ne to distinguish itself from its predecessors and of the importance of symbolism in accomplishing that objective. It brings a of the present day approach and skill settle to the monumental task of governing China.

It is still unclear if the novel outlook is a matter of substance or mode of expression History counsels skepticism when there is talk of a of the present day era in China.

(July 29)

COPYRIGHT 2003 Kyodo recents International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group