Major problems for new Chinese leader

In recent times there have been examples of displaced people becoming increasingly restive. Protests, riots and even some deaths have been reported. By referring to the country's constitution, which enshrines freedom of speech, the media, religious beliefs and association, Xi is saying he will meet these injustices head on.

There are signs that some limited form of protest is being allowed. In one highly-publicised example, Greenpeace China was able to graphically illustrate how factories supplying clothes to brands such as Levi's and Calvin Klein were releasing toxic waste into river systems, using sham waste treatments to get round pollution laws.

Greenpeace East Asia official Li Yifang said that the Qiantang River had, in effect, become poisonous because of these actions, even though it provides drinking water for the city of Hangzhou.

Greenpeace was allowed to set up and film mannequins in Levi's and Calvin Klein jeans, ankle deep in toxic sludge to illustrate the point – an act which in the past would probably have resulted in summary arrests.

China's internal troubles are also damaging their international image. In Taiwan, which China regards as one of its provinces and is trying to woo back into the fold with closer commercial and personal ties, there has been an outburst of protest against a map in new Chinese passports which depicts the island state as part of the People's Republic.

The move has prompted the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party to issue stickers to be placed on the back of Taiwanese passports saying 'Taiwan is my country'. A spokesman for the party claimed that the Government 'had not done enough to protest against this serious violation of our sovereignty.'

Meanwhile, China's expansion into the South China Sea is now being more vigorously opposed by Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines, in a war of words and actions over groups of disputed islands there. Vietnam is setting up patrols which it says are necessary to protect its fisheries.

On the wider stage, Governments, including those of Malaysia and Singapore, have made it clear that they want a continued United States presence in east and south-east Asia as an insurance against Chinese expansionism.

All this and more confronts Xi as he attempts to present a more acceptable Chinese face to the world.