Papers in Beijing and their allies in Hong Kong see former President Jiang Zemin's resignation from China's Central Military Commission (CMC) as confirmation of a new generation's place at the helm of the country.

The appointment of current President Hu Jintao as head of the CMC is received cautiously by other Hong Kong papers, reflecting uncertainty about the effect the change will have on reform and on relations with Hong Kong.

Taiwanese papers speculate on the influence that Jiang Zemin may yet have on Chinese politics in the future.

Hu Jintao has become the undisputed leader of China... with the departure of former President Jiang Zemin from his top military post - giving a new generation a freer hand to run the world's most populous nation.

Official newspaper China Daily

This will further promote the systemisation, formalisation and routinisation of the transition between old and new generations of leaders.

Beijing-backed Hong Kong daily Ta Kung Pao

Now, after Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao has become another leader controlling the party, the government and the military. We hope he can take full advantage of his powerful position and high popularity among the public and, apart from strengthening the Chinese Communist Party's governing capacity, do his best to promote the reform of the political system so as to make it compatible with China's economic and social transformation.

Hong Kong's Ming Pao

The decision of the 78-year-old Jiang to step down marks another move in the transition to a less ideological and more pragmatic generation of leaders... Jiang's departure means that Hong Kong will no longer be a pawn in the battle between the Hu and Jiang camps, as it has been for more than a year.

Hong Kong's The Standard

Because of Jiang's long-term rule at the top level, his cronies are spread all over the party, the government and the military systems. If he chooses not to go away but to use his clout and connections to actively influence policy-making, then even if he cannot become an overlord like Mr Deng, he can surely add elements of instability to China's political scene.

Hong Kong's Apple Daily

Jiang's departure sees the curtain rise on a new era.

Hong Kong's South China Morning Post

But has the curtain fallen on Jiang Zemin's era? Now it's still too early to tell... The time hasn't come for General Secretary Hu to be master of the house.

Taiwan's China Times

During the past year, Jiang had remained the top decision-maker on Taiwan-related issues. In the future, Hu Jintao will definitely take over the powers comprehensively. What new thoughts and new measures will he have on this issue? And will Jiang Zemin leave him with some secret strategies?

Taiwan's United Daily News

What will the "core" of the fourth generation, Hu Jintao, be like? So long as he hasn't turned his position into actual power, so long as Jiang is still around, people won't be able to know whether or not he has got any "new thoughts". However, after all, there is now a potential opportunity for change in Chinese politics. Maybe it represents some hope.

Taiwan's Liberty Times

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