Rumour mill lifts Cantonese hopes of return to 'home rule'

ARE THE CANTONESE about to retake Guangdong province, thus ending a four-year occupation by northern barbarians dispatched from Beijing?

In the run-up to the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday last week, the local government rumour mill had it that Guangdong party secretary Li Changchun, also a Politburo member and native of Dalian in northern Liaoning province, would be transferred to Beijing by the end of the month.

Mr Li has long been tipped as a contender for promotion to the all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee when the 16th Party Congress convenes this year.

If the rumours of Mr Li's imminent promotion are not exaggerated, then his return to Beijing before the congress would be expected. Depending upon who replaces him as party secretary in Guangdong, his transfer could also signal the end of an era in one of China's most prodigal provinces.

Mr Li was appointed Guangdong party secretary in February 1998, having previously served as governor and party secretary in Henan province (1990-98) and governor of his native Liaoning (1986-90).

From the start, Mr Li behaved more like a powerful Politburo member than a local party secretary. At every official function and in every newspaper article, Mr Li was advertised as a Politburo member first and provincial party secretary second. He has remained highly aloof throughout his tenure, shying away from any substantial contacts with the foreign press and diplomatic community in Guangzhou.