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Deng aims for unity in line-up

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THE new line-up of top state, government and legislative positions released to legislators yesterday is an attempt by patriarch Mr Deng Xiaoping to satisfy all major factions while ensuring stability in the event of his demise.

Sources close to the State Council said the bulk of the eight State Councillors and 41 ministers to be confirmed by the National People's Congress (NPC) during the weekend are relatively moderate technocrats.

They are entrusted to promote Mr Deng's economic reforms while imposing a tight control over ideology and culture.

The sources said the line-up had opened the way for ''red-hot competition'' between the two supremos in the central Government, Prime Minister Mr Li Peng and Executive Vice-Premier Mr Zhu Rongji.

Several state councillors and ministers have distinct affiliations with Mr Li, on account either of having studied in the Eastern Bloc or of leaning towards central planning and hardline socialism.

They include Vice-Premier Mr Zou Jiahua; State Councillor in charge of economic restructuring Mr Li Tieying; family planning chief Ms Peng Peiyun; central banker Mr Li Guixian; education chief Mr Zhu Kaixuan; Minister of Water Resources Mr Niu Maosheng; and Minister of Culture, Mr Liu Zhongde.

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