Exclusive | Close associate of Xi Jinping tipped to head China’s top planning agency, sources say
Move seen as part of president’s attempts to consolidate his power base ahead of a Communist Party Congress later this year
A close associate of President Xi Jinping is tipped to take over China’s all-powerful state planning agency, according to people familiar with the matter.
The National Development and Reform Commission is known as the mini cabinet because of its extensive powers, from setting petrol prices to approving airport construction.
The likely appointment of He Lifeng as head of the agency, who has been a deputy minister at the commission since 2014, is viewed as part of a broader effort by Xi to consolidate his power ahead of a crucial Communist Party congress late this year.
“He Lifeng will take over from Xu Shaoshi in a couple of days,” a Beijing-based source close to the government told the South China Morning Post on Wednesday.
The source added that a spate of personnel changes might also involve leaders at the justice and commerce ministries.
Two other sources, who declined to be named, also independently confirmed He’s appointment.