Pearl Briefing | Can new party secretary Ren Xuefeng work his magic in Guangzhou?

It is a little over a month since Guangzhou's new party secretary, Ren Xuefeng, took up his post.

Many are wondering how the former Tianjin deputy mayor, with no experience of working in other local governments, can work his magic in southern China's biggest city.

It is a daunting task, as it requires more than just transplanting the Tianjin model, in which Ren excelled, into Guangzhou. The Guangdong capital poses huge challenges far beyond economic growth. So close to Hong Kong and Macau, managing social issues and cross-border cooperation are important parts of Ren's new portfolio.

According to sources who have had close contact with Ren in the past month, Ren impresses with his "pragmatism" and "subtlety".

"You know as soon as you meet him that the man is very knowledgeable even though he is new to Guangzhou," said a local government official who met Ren in his first week on the job but declined to be named.

Another reporter for a mainland newspaper described a speech by Ren last week as "refreshing". "It was no more than 10 minutes - clear, concise and with no party jargon," said the reporter, who also did not want to be named. "He is very practical but keeps a very low profile. We took his pictures but were later asked by propaganda officials not to publish them."

Ren's appointment, to replace Wan Qingliang who is being investigated for corruption, surprised many.