China leader’s program is modest

Chinese leader Hu Jintao on Monday promised modest steps to reform the government, build up the military and expand social programs in his opening speech to the Communist Party Congress.

Hu outlined no bold initiatives but offered something for key constituencies: modest reform for the party’s liberal wing, more money for the politically influential military, and praise for Marx and Mao Tse-tung for orthodox party members.

The congress is set to reappoint Hu for a second and probably final five-year term. But key measures of his influence will be how many supporters he can maneuver into key positions.

Hu took no chances on one of China’s most sensitive international issues, Taiwan. He offered to hold talks to formally end hostilities with the estranged rival government, which split from China 58 years ago. But Hu did so under a condition that Taiwan recognize it is part of China, which Taiwan immediately rejected.

Much of the speech centered on Hu’s signature policy to spread the benefits of economic growth more evenly. He promised to expand social security, health insurance and subsidies for rural education.