China's Next Boss Has Some Capitalist Cred
Xi Jinping ran a province that’s a showcase for private enterprise in China
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Zhejiang province is home to some of China’s most successful entrepreneurs, such as Zong Qinghou, a soft-drink merchant, and Li Shufu, founder of automaker Geely International. Many of the province’s business owners pride themselves on succeeding without much help from the government.
For five years the coastal province, with its population of 54.4 million, was also the place Xi Jinping called home. Xi, 58, served as top official of Zhejiang from 2002 to 2007 and is set to become the Communist Party’s general secretary later this year. In March 2013 he’ll likely assume the Presidency.