Chinese elite politics: It's still a man's world

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Chinese elite politics: It's still a man's world

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In June, an air force major became the first Chinese woman to travel in space.

17 October,2012 10:27 am

A glance at history suggests its easier for a Chinese woman to orbit Earth than to land a spot on the highest rung of Chinese politics.In June, an air force major became the first Chinese woman to travel in space.With a once-a-decade leadership transition set to kick off Nov. 8, many now are waiting to see if another ambitious woman, State Councilor Liu Yandong, can win one of the nine spots at the apex of Chinese power.Liu is a smiley 67-year-old with a degree in chemical engineering and a penchant for pearls and red lipstick. Her portfolios include education, sports and cultural affairs. Experts say she is well-connected and state media paints her as a diligent civil servant with a human touch.