Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008
Hu Jintao
Pro: China's president glowed during the Olympics as the Games escaped largely unscathed by protests and human rights imbroglios. The $586 billion stimulus plan to thwart his engine's slowdown is a political victory, as infrastructure investment may reverse rural poverty and improve the country's social stability.
Con: The Olympics did spotlight China's paranoia: for example, the government banned press access to certain opposition websites (though it eventually lifted the prohibitions after a global backlash). China is dangerously dependent on exports for economic growth. Rejected G8 proposals to cut greenhouse emissions: is the leader of the world's most populous country serious about global climate change?