China�s Elite Politics provides a new theoretical perspective on elite politics in China and uses this theoretical perspective to explain power transfer from Jiang Zemin to Hu Jintao and political dynamics between different factional groups since the Sixteenth Party Congress of November 2002. It explains the transition in structural terms, presents characteristics of China�s political elites, and analyzes the balance of power among formal institutions as well as among factional groups. It also examines political interactions between Jiang Zemin and his cronies on the one side and Hu Jintao and his allies on the other over a number of issues: the epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS); ideological institutionalization; the politics over economic overheating; Jiang Zemin�s complete retirement; and Hu Jintao�s power consolidation in both ideological and personnel terms.

Contents:

• Introduction: Toward a Power Balancing Model on Elite Politics in China
• Political Transition and Power Balance:
• Power Transfer from Jiang Zemin to Hu Jintao at the Sixteenth Party Congress
• The Sixteenth Central Committee: Technocrats in Command?
• Balance of Formal Power
• Balance of Factional Power
• Dynamics of Factional Politics:
• Politics of SARS
• Ideological Institutionalization and Politics of Development
• Jiang Zemin�s Complete Retirement
• Hu Jintao�s Power Consolidation
• Conclusion: Institutionalization and Political Transition

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Readership: Readers interested in China�s political system, including scholars, policy makers, business people and students, particularly postgraduate students.

�The arguments about institutionalization and power balancing in China, presented in this book, will stir new discussion and debate.�

Joseph Fewsmith Boston University, Boston, USA

�In this thoroughly-researched and insightful book, Bo Zhiyue analyzes how politics has become more institutionalized than ever before in PRC history. This book is an important contribution to our understanding of changing PRC politics.�

Andrew J Nathan Columbia University, New York, USA

�This book addresses the critical issue of national-level politics in China and contains extremely useful charts, tables and statistics. Well researched and extremely thoughtful, this book is of interest to anyone interested in understanding the changing nature of politics in today�s China.�

David M Finkelstein The CNA Corporation, Virginia, USA

�This book is an important contribution to the study of China's elite politics and political succession. It should be of interest to all China-related academics and practitioners.�