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Bill Savadove

Mr Zheng is an economist with a commitment to developing the city into a world financial and trade centre.

But he is also a loyalist with ties to Huang Ju, who was recently promoted to a seat on the Standing Committee of the Communist Party's Politburo from his post as Shanghai party secretary.

Mr Han, 48, has served as vice-mayor and executive vice-mayor since 1998. His originally had the civil affairs portfolio, but his role gradually expanded as he grew closer to assuming the mantle of leadership.

Analysts say Mr Han is not a pioneering economic reformer, but he can be expected to continue the policies that have brought rapid growth to Shanghai.

He is friendly towards business and the market. In comments published by state media two years ago, he called for using the property market to support economic growth - a policy Shanghai has followed.

Mr Han was born in Zhejiang province near Shanghai. He received a graduate degree from Shanghai's East China Normal University.

His specialty is economics, unlike the engineering backgrounds of many state planners and top leaders. He worked in Shanghai's chemical and rubber sectors but has mainly held party positions.

Mr Han was first appointed the party secretary of the Shanghai branch of the Communist Youth League. He later became head of Shanghai's Luwan area, which now includes the Xintiandi entertainment district and the commercial Huaihai Road. He also served as deputy secretary-general of the local government and chief of the city's planning commission.

People who know Mr Han say he was quiet and reticent early in his career but has overcome his shyness with more public appearances.

When the first charter flights from Taiwan to the mainland in more than 50 years landed in Shanghai last month, Mr Han greeted the first plane and called for Taipei to allow direct flights.

He has travelled overseas, visiting South Korea a few years ago for a glimpse of that Asian nation's economic development.

Analysts say Mr Han is a natural candidate to become Shanghai's party secretary and eventually a Politburo member, following the well-worn path of other former Shanghai officials.



New city chief a party loyalist with a commitment to the financial hub