MAJOR factions in the leadership are manoeuvring to install their proteges in the Beijing municipal party committee and Government, which are expected to witness major reshuffles later this year.
Chinese sources said yesterday the positions of Beijing party boss Chen Xitong and Mayor Li Qiyan had been rendered difficult after a spate of arrests of local cadres on alleged economic crimes.
They said, however, that as the political forces were about 'evenly matched', a new party boss or mayor is unlikely to be named soon.
Beijing diplomats had circulated two candidates for chief of the Beijing committee, a position with Politburo ranking - Shanghai Party Secretary Huang Ju, President Jiang Zemin's protege, and State Council Secretary-General Luo Gan, Premier Li Peng's confidant.
But a source said it was also possible that a politician from the 12-member Beijing committee be picked to succeed Mr Chen.
'While both Huang and Luo have good backing, their move to Beijing might alienate powerful vested interests in the municipality,' the source said.
'In spite of the flak he has received, Chen is putting up vigorous resistance against calls for his resignation.' While Mr Chen has also been linked to the Tiananmen Square crackdown, he enjoys the support of politicians close to two powerful members of the so-called Beijing Faction, former National People's Congress chairmen Peng Zhen and Wan Li.
