Beijing ? Hu Jintao may be China’s new top communist, but he’s hardly letting it show.

Two weeks after his debut as party general secretary, China’s vice president has all but disappeared from view. Chinese state television has presented him on just a couple of occasions, and his other activities are unadvertised ” and largely unknown.

With four months to go before stage two of China’s leadership transition, and Hu’s ascension to the presidency, he has reason to be cautious. As he has throughout his climb, Hu must avoid making mistakes that could be used against him.

Hu’s predecessor as general secretary, President Jiang Zemin, doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere. Jiang has been highlighted nightly on state TV since the end of the party congress at which Hu was anointed earlier this month.

“Hu may not like it, but he clearly understands the importance not to appear to challenge Jiang unless and until he is confident of success,” said Steve Tsang, director of Asian studies at Oxford University’s St. Antony’s College.

“The safest bet for not publicly making a mistake is to say as little as possible,” Tsang said.

Making it tougher for Hu, Jiang retained his party post as chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission and stacked the party’s nine-member ruling Politburo Standing Committee with his allies. He also had supporters appointed to key party positions.

“Hu Jintao may have been given the chair, but he has yet to win the mantle of leadership,” said Jeremy Paltiel, an associate professor of political science at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.

Hu will need to make his mark before the national legislature meets in March, when Jiang is expected to step down as president.

“Hu cannot gain the authority he needs while remaining in Jiang’s shadow,” Paltiel said.