Xi Jinping downplays climate change, risking his own priorities

The recently concluded 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party cemented Xi Jingping's new status as the man in charge of China for the indefinite future. One indication of his new strength and status is that he is now often referred to in the press as "the great helmsman," a title not used since Mao. Xi's opening address to the Party Congress began by describing the mess his predecessor had left him and how he cleaned it up. The balance of the speech focused on how he planned to ensure past problems did not recur, the two key elements…