China's main political event for the year came to a smooth close in late March as the nation's new leadership formally took the helm of the world's second largest economy.

At this year's session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, Xi Jinping was made president, adding to his list of titles, which already included general secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), as well as chairman of the Party's Central Military Commission.

Global and domestic confidence in China has increased since the CPC chose new leadership in November 2012, as the new leaders have demonstrated a clear understanding of the need to prioritize anti-corruption efforts and running a clean government – both essential to bolstering the CPC's public credibility.

 The international community has commented widely on the new CPC leadership, pointing out that they are not only firm in their determination to improve how the government functions, but also committed to keeping their promises to the Chinese people. Xi's low-key official visit to Guangdong Province last December is a prime example of this commitment. Marked by few grand receptions and noisy motorcades, the visit signaled a distinctive shift in tone from more ceremonious visits conducted in the past.

Analysts say that Xi will also bring a personal touch to engaging with his counterparts in Africa. In late March, Xi visited South Africa, Tanzania and the Republic of Congo, his first state visit to Africa as Chinese president. Africans see Xi's approach to China-Africa relations as more pragmatic. Africa's development creates opportunities for China just as China's development creates opportunities for Africa, said Xi when he met with Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, in February.

China's new Premier Li Keqiang has a striking vision for a more limited government, and is dedicated to reducing graft and unleashing the dynamism of entrepreneurs, migrant workers and the middle class. To do so will require taking on vested interests, he said. Such self-revolution, as he termed it, will be difficult, and require that the "hero has the courage to cut off his own hand," a reference to a Chinese idiom about cutting off a hand that has been bitten by a poisonous snake.

The determination Li displays has given people faith that he will follow up on his promises with substantive action. Public expectations of the new leadership have been running high, particularly in terms of how they will address social sore spots, such as closing China's widening wealth gap, curbing the improper use of official power and cleaning up an environment degraded by the pursuit of growth at any cost.

Although the new leadership's honeymoon period may not yet be over, the reform-focused Xi-Li administration is already gearing up to face the challenges that lie ahead.

THE EDITOR