Top adviser Wang Huning tipped to become vice-premier, enter Politburo
Sources say Wang Huning is expected to become vice-premier and gain entrance into Politburo
A trusted adviser to both Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao will probably become the vice-premier in charge of China's diplomatic affairs after the upcoming leadership transition, sources say.
The selection of Wang Huning, a former academic who heads the party's Policy Research Office, would indicate Beijing's desire to revamp its foreign policy apparatus, which has on occasion suffered from a lack of co-ordination between offices.
It is expected Wang, 57, will be elevated to the 25-seat Politburo after the Communist Party's 18th national congress, which opens on November 8.
The twin promotions would give the country's top diplomat greater authority, something seen as lacking as China's global influence grows.
Neither Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, a career diplomat who previously served as ambassador to the US, nor State Councillor Dai Bingguo, the government's foreign policy mastermind, currently sit on the Politburo.
"The adjustment to let a vice-premier lead diplomatic affairs has been boosted by the apparent need to overhaul the country's foreign policy and its policymaking apparatus," said a source familiar with the discussion.
"The fact that Chinese leaders appear to be taking more interest in foreign affairs, especially their growing keenness to get international media exposure, also means the leadership will attach an ever greater importance to foreign policy structure."