AFP. 9 January 2002. China's new leaders already selected ahead of party congress: report.
HONG KONG -- The new crop of politicians who will take over the reins of power from China's aging leadership elite has already been decided, months before the 16th Communist Party Congress, a report said Thursday. President Jiang Zemin -- who will be replaced by Hu Jintao -- plans to install his closest protege, Zeng Qinghong, as vice president, the South China Morning Post said. The Post quoted Chinese sources as saying the list of appointments had been completed and was unlikely to be altered ahead of the congress due to take place in the second half of the year. "We have also heard that it has all been decided," a Beijing-based Western diplomat told the Post. "There's even a suggestion to bring the congress forward to July, but it is more likely to be September." The expected party reshuffle will see Hu assume the Chinese presidency and also succeed Jiang as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party. Jiang is expected to retain his post as chairman of the Central Military Commission. Zeng will assume Hu's current positions as director of the Central Party School and vice president and will also get a seat on the Politburo Standing Committee. Former premier Li Peng will retire after serving five years as chairman of the National People's Congress, China's parliament, to be replaced by Li Ruihuan, sources told the Post. Li Ruihuan's position as chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference will be taken by Jiang's close associate Li Lanqing. Popular premier Zhu Rongji is also expected to step down to be succeeded by Vice Premier Wen Jiabao. Sources told the Post that Zhu could still be asked to stay on as an adviser to the State Council. Zhu has insisted on several occasions that he would retire in 2003 when his term as premier expires. The party secretary of southern Guangdong province, Li Changchun, is tipped to be named vice premier in 2003. Current Vice Premier Wu Bangguo is likely to retain his place in the Politburo but appears to be out of favour in the race for promotion. The 16th Party Congress is also expected to see Jiang's eldest son, Jiang Mianheng, elevated to the post of president of the China Academy of Sciences and claim a seat in the Central Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barry Stoller http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ProletarianNews
