The new Chinese leader Xi Jinping, taking steps to curb corruption in China

Last month China selected its new leaders for the next decade.  Its new leader, Xi Jinping, who is also the party secretary, is expected to be ceremonially installed in March 2013.  But he is busy making adjustments and issuing new directives.

During the just concluded once in a decade power transfer, the outgoing leader highlighted the need to eradicate corruption in China.  The new leader has stepped up crackdown on corruption, taking measures to improve relations with the rest of the world, strengthening the military, and curbing ceremonies.  As customary with all newly appointed leaders, he took his first official trip outside Beijing to the southern boomtown of Shenzhen in Guangdong province without a red carpet and fanfare, and mirroring Deng Xiaoping’s maiden trip as the leader.

The new leader is asking Chinese whistle-blowers to use the Internet to report graft.  A pilot program has been initiated in Guangdong province requiring officials and their families to report their assets regularly.  He is also taking steps to cut down on lavish spending on ceremonies and ordered shorter government meetings.  He is comfortable working with world leaders and has closer ties to the Chinese military.