The CNA Corporation to Preview Volume on China's Political Transition

11/4/2002

From: David M. Finkelstein, 703-824-2952, Maryanne Kivlehan, 703-824-2386, both of the CNA Corporation

News Advisory:

On November 7, 2002 -- the eve of China's 16th Party Congress -- The CNA Corporation's Project Asia will host a book launch and panel discussion on the prospects for the impending leadership transition in China. This event will be held from 2-4 p.m. at the National Press Club's First Amendment Lounge, marking the publication of The CNA Corporation's latest volume: China's Leadership in the 21st Century: The Rise of the 4th Generation, edited by David M. Finkelstein and Maryanne Kivlehan (M.E. Sharpe, October 2002).

As a result of the Party Congress -- scheduled to begin Nov. 8, 2002 -- and the convocation of the National People's Congress in the spring of 2003, much of the national leadership of China will undergo a significant generational change. Touted by some as the first institutionalized transition of power in the history of the People's Republic, the accession to power of the "Fourth Generation," will have profound implications for China, its neighbors, and potentially for the national interests of the United States. This timely volume presents the results of a major conference on the prospects and challenges facing China's new leaders held at The CNA Corporation in anticipation of this important political event.

The CNA Corporation is pleased to have on the panel six of the 13 internationally respected contributing authors. Panel participants will include: Li Cheng, providing an overview of China's 4th Generation leadership; Murray Scot Tanner, analyzing the challenges facing Hu Jintao and the complexities of the various succession scenarios; Zhiyue Bo, who will speak on China's important and often under-studied provincial leadership; Bruce Dickson, providing new insights into the changing role of entrepreneurs in the Chinese Communist Party; Carol Lee Hamrin, presenting an analysis of new generation politics and civil society; and Michael S. Chase, discussing China's changing political institutions.

The CNA Corporation is a non-profit research and analysis organization. With its roots reaching back to the Second World War (1942), it is one of the nation's oldest and most prominent centers for research and analysis. Today, The CNA Corporation continues its long tradition of service through its analyses of, and creative solutions to, the toughest foreign and domestic issues facing the nation. David M. Finkelstein is the Director of Project Asia. He can be reached 703-824-2952 (e-mail at finked@cna.org). Maryanne Kivlehan, project director for the volume is available at 703-824-2386 (e-mail at kivleham@cna.org).