PATRIARCH Deng Xiaoping is likely to spend the Lunar New Year in Shanghai, where he is expected to give another series of instructions on reform.
However, a major theme of Mr Deng's instructions will be ''party construction'', or strengthening the authority of Communist Party organisations.
The patriarch will also lend his prestige to fighting regionalism, which has affected the ability of central authorities to implement market reforms.
Aside from Mr Deng, such senior cadres as premier Li Peng and the former member of the Politburo Standing Committee Song Ping, have recently emphasised strengthening the role of the party.
As reported in the South China Morning Post last week, Mr Deng went to the Shanghai region this month to hear briefings on the economic situation by local leaders.
Two Hong Kong publications yesterday reported that the patriarch had also gone to cities and resorts near Shanghai including Nanjing and Wuxi.