World Notes China

Chinese Leader Deng Xiaoping has long been pushing for a transfusion of younger blood into the ranks of his country's aging leadership. Now Peking appears to have taken a major step in the gradual switch to a new generation. The People's Daily reported last week that nearly 1,000 "young and dependable cadres" had been selected as reserve leaders at provincial and ministerial levels and more than 10,000 others had been chosen for lesser positions in prefectures, cities and other government departments.

Many of the appointees will be replacing officials who have been encouraged to retire by such sweeteners as pensions equal to their salaries, permission to keep their apartments, and the use of government cars. Party General Secretary Hu Yaobang estimates that by next year nearly 2 million bureaucrats will have retired. About 800 top people will be replaced in May and June. And next September, the Communist Party's Central Committee will probably be enlarged to bring in about a hundred younger members. Taking the cue, Party Secretary Hu, 69, has hinted at his choice for his own successor: Hu Qili, 55, now a high-ranking member of the party secretariat.