In this news reports in the New York Times, “China’s Leaders Deadlocked Over Succession,” it is suggested that Jiang Zemin, the former General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, still possesses great influence, even veto power, over Chinese leaders currently in office, in particular over the issue

The Chinese government has been rather tense lately. Three issues in particular worry China’s top leaders.

Today the Taiwan Affairs Office of China’s State Council issued a strong-worded statement condemning a referendum initiative in Taiwan and warning that China “has made necessary preparations to react to a grave situation.”

Mr. Kevin Rudd, the Opposition Leader in the Australian Federal Parliament, surprised and amused his audience with his fluent Chinese at a luncheon held for Chinese President Hu Jintao, who was in Australia attending a summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

In mid-October the Chinese Communist Party will hold its 17th National Congress. Convened every five years, the CCP National Congress is one of the most important events in China’s political events. Insofar as basic policies are concerned, there should be little surprise - most of them have already been proclaimed many times on various occasions. What people should watch closely is the “elections” that will take place at the meeting.

The way Chinese address one another reflects major changes in Chinese politics and social life in the past century.

Before the communist victory in 1949, a Chinese would address an adult male stranger as “Xiansheng.” Literally meaning “Born Earlier,” Xiansheng is the equivalent of “Mister” or “Sir” in English. A married Chinese woman back then was “Taitai,” meaning “Grand Lady” or “Honorable Married Woman.” An unmarried young female was called “Xiaojie” – literally “Little Sister.”