Lineup aims to project image of change, with eyes on fresh faces and 'super ministers'
Premier Wen Jiabao is to form a new cabinet today that will absorb fresh blood, spring a few surprises and intend to project an image of change, according to sources close to the decision.
Within Mr Wen's big pool of talent, all eyes will be on several new faces and five ministers to head the new 'super ministries'.
One surprise is Zhang Ping, the little known deputy replacing his boss, Ma Kai, to head the restructured planning bureau - the National Development and Reform Commission.
Another unpredicted placing is Cai Wu, one of the country's top censors, as the new cultural tsar. The appointment of Mr Cai - previously director of the Information Office under the State Council - as the minister of culture is believed to be a last-minute arrangement as vice-cultural minister Yu Youjun was dropped from the list during the NPC session reportedly because of a corruption scandal involving his younger brother.
Mr Wen, who embarked on his second and last five-year term as premier yesterday, is also going to appoint one of his top mandarins to an unfamiliar cabinet position.
Li Yizhong, who carved out an image of ultra-toughness as work safety chief in charge of the country's thousands of coal mines, will head the Ministry of Industry and Information - probably the most challenging of the new mega-ministries.
