South China Morning Post said, of the 28 ministers, 15 are new, with the rest coming from the previous cabinet. The mix of old blood with the new is seen as a good balance between new ideas and continuity.

It said most deputies had expressed confidence in the 28 ministers in the cabinet, praising their education ground.

Asian Wall Street Journal commented that China installed a governing cabinet "promising continuity on the policies that have created the world's most dynamic economy."

The English language newspaper said that "the appointments bode well for continuing the successes China has racked up in sustaining growth and luring record levels of foreign investment while weaning government agencies off central planning."

Takungpao commented in its special reports that the third generation of the leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has left behind treasure -- political civilization. The new cabinet has also taken over "genuine gold and silver" -- an overall good situation from the old cabinet.

Hong Kong edition of China Daily said that the new team is well equipped to ensure the stability and continuity of China's reform policies.

Wen Wei Po said that China has entered into a stage of expertise administrating the country and the Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress expected the new cabinet to further push ahead with the country's economic development and to realize the target of building an overall well-off society.

(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2003)