The brightest rising star in mainland politics, Xi Jinping, has been put in charge of the highly symbolic preparations for the 30th anniversary of Beijing's reform and opening-up policies, a Hong Kong-based magazine reported yesterday.
The Communist Party would launch a series of events to celebrate mainland accomplishments during the past three decades, which would culminate in an end-of-year conclave attended by the party's elite, the Mirror reported.
Mr Xi, 54, who shot into the top leadership at the 17th National Congress last year when he joined the Politburo Standing Committee, would draft the keynote speech to be delivered by Communist Party chief Hu Jintao .
The former Shanghai party chief had also been entrusted with setting out reform strategies for the next five years, including a push for further economic restructuring, it added.
Alongside the Olympic Games, the anniversary celebration will be a big theme for the party this year. It views both as perfect opportunities to boost its legitimacy.
Mr Xi's new responsibilities were the latest sign that he would succeed Mr Hu as the country's top leader in five years, analysts said.
Ten days ago, he was shown on state television making an inspection tour of Xibaipo village in Hebei province - a key revolutionary base - which has been a rite of passage for all top Communist leaders.