This cartoon by Bob from The Daily Telegraph is a comment on the unveiling of China's new leadership at the end of the Communist Party's Congress on Thursday. The title of the cartoon 'The Chinese Reformer' is an ironic reference to Xi Jinping, the new General Secretary of the Communist Party, and the man who will take over from Hu Jintao as President next March.
All seven members of the new leadership team are wearing dark suits. However, if you look carefully, you will see that one of them, organization department head Wang Yang, is wearing a blue tie, which attracts a disapproving look from Xi, who's standing on his left. This suggests that the new supreme leader is a not man who will look kindly on any form of original thought. In fact, many commentators believe that Xi will lead the Party in a conservative direction (see articles below).
COMMENT
The cartoon is based on the picture below. In actual fact, Xi (centre) was not standing beside Wang, who is on the far right. However, I think we can allow Bob a little cartoonist's licence.
ALSO SEE
• Don’t expect reform from China’s new leaders (The Washington Post)
• Will China’s new leader result in a new direction for the country? (The Globe and Mail)
• China's new party leader eschews predecessors' rhetoric (LA Times)
• China confirms leadership change (BBC News)
• China's new men of iron take over (The Independent)
• China's Next Generation Takes Power- video (Newsy)
