Chinese leader Hu Jintao pledges modest reforms

BEIJING — Opening a Communist Party congress seen as a test of his political skills, Chinese leader Hu Jintao on Monday promised modest steps to reform the government, support for a sustained military buildup and expanded social programs.

In a 2-hour, 20-minute address, Hu outlined no bold initiatives. But he offered something for most key constituencies — tinkering with the authoritarian political system for the party's liberal wing, more money for the politically influential military, and praise for Marx and Mao Zedong for more orthodox party members.

The remarks are telling about the way Hu has governed China in the last five years and the direction he is likely to take in the next five. With the revolutionary veterans dead or dying, Hu and others in the Chinese leadership lack the broad authority to press for ambitious changes. Instead, cautiously they cobble together small coalitions to get things done.

Hu "is a fairly strong leader within a system where you have to share," said Dali Yang, a China expert at the National University of Singapore. "This helps keep a balance of power."

The weeklong party congress, held once every five years, will provide a crucial indicator of Hu's deftness. 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, 65, is expected to push for the elevation of protege Li Keqiang, 52, onto the Politburo Standing Committee. Xi Jinping, the 54-year-old party boss of Shanghai and the son of a revolutionary veteran, is also expected to get a seat.

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 — terms which Taiwan previously and immediately rejected.

The White House noted the "moderate" tone of Hu's statement on Taiwan.

"We believe that President Hu's remarks were a step in the right direction on seeking to reinvigorate a cross-strait dialogue," said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council. "As to President Hu's specific proposals, it is up to the people on both sides of the straits to decide the terms and conditions under which exchanges, dialogue, and consultations occur."