Dengs Death May Spark Off Succession Struggle

Chinas crown rests uneasily on the head of Deng Xiaopings anointed successor, Jiang Zemin.

Dengs death after an 18-year rule opens the door to a power struggle in the communist political elite, throwing into relief Dengs major failure his inability to set in place a firm succession structure.

Many diplomats and political analysts said they expected Jiang to tighten his grip on the top job after seven years building a power base under the wing of his patron.

But the absence of a proper structure and the removal of his mentor leaves him exposed in one of the most precarious positions in the world.

 

With Dengs death the political ring of confidence that protected Jiang Zemin so far has been torn asunder and he must now face an uncertain political future and political ills by himself,