The party boss of Sichuan - a protege of President Hu Jintao - has been appointed to head the party's United Front Work Department, according to a statement issued by the party's Central Committee yesterday.
Du Qinglin, 51, will replace Liu Yandong, also a close ally of the president who ascended to the all-powerful Politburo at the party's 17th National Congress in October, said the statement posted on the central government's website.
The reshuffle is further evidence that officials with a background in the Communist Youth League - Mr Hu's power base - are in the ascendancy.
They have dominated the replacement list in the ongoing reshuffle of senior party and government posts following the unveiling of the new leadership lineup last month.
Mr Du's vacant post was filled by Liu Qibao, former party head of Guangxi and also an ally of Mr Hu, according to an announcement on Saturday.
Mr Du's new post gives him control over the so-called eight democratic parties on the mainland and the party's mass organisations, such as its labour unions and women's groups.