Chinese Communist Party Congress Produces Futile Deal

Outgoing Party leader Hu Jintao was at the height of his power and appeared to be ready to prevail over his longtime antagonist Jiang Zemin. But rather than take down Jiang’s faction, Hu pulled back and reached a deal for sharing power. But that deal is doomed to be short-lived, and does nothing to alter the Party’s fate.

The presumptive next head of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping, attends the opening session of the 18th Party Congress on Nov. 8, in Beijing, China. Xi's new role is expected to be made official on Nov. 15. Feng Li/Getty Images