Deng Pufang, the wheelchair-bound son of late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping, and Hu Deping , son of former Communist Party general secretary Hu Yaobang, have been nominated as vice-chairmen of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, conference sources reveal.
Mr Deng, 63, chairman of the China Disabled Persons Federation, is the eldest son of Deng Xiaoping. Deng Pufang was paralysed from the waist down after jumping from a window to avoid persecution during the Cultural Revolution. Deng Xiaoping's family was once the most powerful in the nation, with his children wielding considerable clout in politics. Their influence dwindled gradually after former president Jiang Zemin took the helm.
Mr Deng's promotion to a top CPPCC post, which carries the rank of a state leader, has been seen as a move by President Hu Jintao to honour the former patriarch.
Hu Deping's father was forced to step down from power in 1987 because of his liberal views. The elevation of Mr Hu, 65, to vice-chairman of the All-China General Chamber of Industry and Commerce is seen as another move by President Hu to quietly restore the status of his mentor Hu Yaobang, who played a key role in the president's career.
The Communist Party made a low-key commemoration of the 90th anniversary of Hu Yaobang's birth in 2005 - a move widely seen as a token of gratitude by President Hu.
The last CPPCC had 27 vice-chairmen. About half have reached retirement age.
