China is unlikely to halt economic reforms after this year's sweeping leadership shuffle, even though the phasing out of the state-planned economy could trigger growing protests by disenfranchised peasants and workers.
Leaders including President and Party General Secretary Jiang Zemin are slated to surrender their party posts next month followed by their government posts next March.
There have been signs that some economic reforms, such as liberalising bank interest rates and selling state shares, have slowed. But the long-term commitment to change is firm.
Respected economist Cao Siyuan says: 'The new leadership is not going to freeze economic reforms. There is a widespread consensus within the party, and among the political elite, on the need to continue to make the market the main engine of growth for the economy and to integrate China's system with the world.'
One of the main markers of the success and legitimacy of the 'fourth-generation leadership' will be its ability to raise income levels and boost China's overall economic power, analysts say.
Sinologist Andrew Nathan says the new rulers are intent on modernising the economy by replacing Marx with the market.
Professor Nathan, a specialist on Chinese politics at Columbia University in New York, senses 'a firm commitment' to continue or even intensify the reform of state-owned enterprises.