Chinese leaders will hold secretive meetings at the seaside in the coming few days that are likely to determine the political destiny of President Jiang Zemin. Their annual informal gathering in the resort town of Beidaihe, 280 km (175 miles) east of Beijing, is more important than ever this year. After Beijing's oppressive summer heat begins to dispel, the Chinese Communist Party will convene a full congress―an event held only once every five years―at which wide-ranging leadership changes will be unveiled. Mr Jiang wants to stay in power beyond the congress despite widespread misgivings among senior party and military officials.
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