The Communist Party of China witnessed its own leadership succession in mid-November. An enlarged Politburo Standing Committee with Hu Jintao as the Party's general secretary became China's new political nerve center.

The changing of the guard was essential considering the Party's special position in the country's political structure. But the generational succession only went halfway in the absence of corresponding changes beyond the Party.

The top priority for the current NPC convention is to review and vote on those candidates that the Party has recommended for the country's top jobs.

The upcoming elections will have a far-reaching impact on the country's political scene for at least the next five years. They will show whether the public has endorsed the policy orientation of the new Party leadership.

As speculation about the pending leadership lineup quietens, public attention has justifiably shifted to the Party's political reform agenda.

The Party's will cannot be executed to its satisfaction without a political framework of its own design.

At the Second Plenum of its 16th Central Committee last week, the Party made up its mind to proceed further along the road of political reform.

The plenum came up with a general road map for restructuring government offices and transforming governance mechanisms.

At the Party's request, the State Council will deliver its own program for a structural shake-up at the NPC session.

Whether or to what extent the State Council reform plan will get NPC approval will determine not only the direction, but also the pace of political reforms in the years to come.

The idea to rebuild the governance structure rightfully targets a political imperative that is at the same time bold and daring.

The 3000 NPC deputies, more than 70 percent of whom are new faces, are a younger, better-educated and more representative crop.

We can legitimately assume they have a better knowledge about national conditions and what the country needs.

We therefore hope they cast their votes in a way that best serves the interests of those whom they represent.

(China Daily March 5, 2003)