Change and continuity

The lineup of the new national leadership is complete with the National People's Congress yesterday approving the rosters of vice-premiers, State councilors and ministers proposed by Premier Wen Jiabao.

The well-balanced composition of incumbent veterans serving a second term and new faces from the provincial leadership is by and large in accordance with public expectations. Even the new faces are familiar to the public as they have made their mark in manning major economic engines of the country.

The smooth change is a sure sign that the overall orientation of major national policies will remain unchanged.