TWO senior party elders have displayed signs of political activity by becoming honorary advisers of a legal think-tank set up under the auspices of the National People's Congress (NPC).
Peng Zhen, 93, and Wan Li, 79, have lent their prestige to the brain trust, which is believed to be close to NPC Chairman Qiao Shi.
Both former chairmen of the NPC, Mr Peng and Mr Wan still appeal to broad sectors of the Communist Party.
Mr Peng, who is partially paralysed from a stroke, has been seen visiting friends in a wheelchair and is said to have a 'clear mind'.
His aides have denied widespread reports he is suffering terminal cancer.
Mr Qiao, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and head of the party's moderate wing, is considered by Western diplomats to be a rival of party General Secretary and President Jiang Zemin.
'Even though they have no formal power, Peng and Wan have a big say over the succession issue in accordance with communist-Chinese tradition,' a mainland source said.