Chinese Leaders Make Forbes Power Ranking

Xi Jinping	Li Keqiang

Analysts said the list shows the important role China plays on the global stage and the world's expectations of the fast developing Asian country.

Xi Jinping, China's newly-elected general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, ranked ninth, while Vice-Premier Li Keqiang ranked 13th in Forbes' list of the World's Most Powerful People of 2012, although the two have only just assumed their new leading roles in the CPC.

"It shows the high expectation placed on China's new leadership to wield bigger influence to lead China to achieve better development and deeper reform," said Zhang Zhi'an, an associate professor of the School of Communication and Design at Sun Yat-sen University.

Although Xi and Li were elected as the top leaders of the CPC about 20 days ago, they have already started to implement reforms, which has drawn much attention and triggered heated discussion within China, he said.

At a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee chaired by Xi on Tuesday, a document detailing specific requirements relating to eight areas of the work of officials was adopted.

The document outlines requirements for officials to reduce meetings, condense papers, minimize traffic control during officials' visits and exercise thriftly. The outline has been welcomed with great enthusiasm by the Chinese public.

Besides the two new leaders, Chinese entrepreneurs are also featured on the list, including Chairman of China Investment Corp Lou Jiwei ranked 39th, and Founder and CEO of Chinese online search giant Baidu Robin Li ranked 64th.