Hu Jintao presided over a momentous decade in which China cemented its re-emergence as a global power, became the world’s second-largest economy, and dazzled the world with a glittering Olympic Games.
But the outgoing Communist chief leaves his successor Xi Jinping – set to be appointed party leader at a congress starting this week – facing an array of problems stemming from China’s economic and social shifts, and hidebound politics.
When Hu, 69, came to power a decade ago, he was a largely blank slate, leading some to hope that he could be a reformer who might help inch China toward some form of modest liberalisation.
But today the Communist Party’s stranglehold is tighter than ever.
Corruption festers at all levels of business and politics, and while the economic miracle that has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty continues, growth is slowing and inequality and pollution are worsening.
Hu made more sustainable and inclusive development his mantra.