The central government is set to promote several elite technocrats to head the powerful ministries responsible for economic planning, finance and taxation as part of a wide-ranging reshuffle, informed sources say.
The business community is expected to welcome the moves as the officials involved have all played key roles in plotting and carrying out the daunting tasks of reforming the economic, financial and taxation systems.
According to the sources, Ma Kai, deputy secretary-general of the State Council, is expected to replace Zeng Peiyan as the minister of the State Development Planning Commission, the chief economic planner.
Mr Zeng is widely expected to become a deputy premier of the new State Council to be formed and approved at the National People's Congress next month.
The sources said Jin Renqing, director-general of the State Administration of Taxation, will be appointed executive deputy minister of finance, which could mean he would replace Finance Minister Xiang Huaicheng at the NPC.
At the NPC meeting, Mr Xiang is expected to become a state councillor responsible for finance and taxation.