Can anyone with insight into Chinese politics comment on these observations? They seem salient, but China to me is just such a mystery that I never really know what to believe when I read press coverage about it.
The Hu/Wen government has been very disappointing compared to their predecessors. I mean, 10 years with basically no political or economic reform! Perhaps this is because of the battling between reformists and traditionalists, or perhaps all those officials have just been busy cashing in for their kids (have to pay for those Ferraris somehow). And we have no idea what Xi will do; more of the same? Change for the good? Change for the bad? Its like if we elected a president in the states who had no past.
No, there is no hope at all. China growing on the wrong set of axis will first lead to economical, and then eventually, political collapse. The only question is when. It probably won't be this year, or even next year.
These are really small issues. If you were no one and got into a car crash no one would care. If you are the son of someone important to the federal government no one would be allowed read about it. If you are the son of someone important to local government then it will be all over the media as the censorship is the duty of the federal government.