Wang Qishan: the mainland's economic reformer in waiting

Symbolism can matter a great deal in politics,

and Vice-Premier Wang Qishan's similarities to his political mentor, Zhu Rongji, have helped boost his popularity among party officials and ordinary citizens.

With similar personalities, working styles and political careers, Wang and former premier Zhu, a respected reformist, have even shared many nicknames, including problem solver, fire-brigade captain, crisis manager and troubleshooter.

Both have been described as straight-talking, dynamic and decisive, rare traits in Chinese officialdom, where talking the talk while doing nothing is the safest path to promotion.

Wang, who is responsible for overseeing the financial sector and foreign trade and who has built up quite a reputation in recent years as the point man for China's economic integration with the global economy, was once seen as Vice-Premier Li Keqiang's closest rival in the race to become the next premier.

With Li, President Hu Jintao's protégé, set to take over from Wen Jiabao as premier next year, party insiders say Wang is most likely to be appointed executive vice-premier in charge of finance, trade, overall macroeconomic policy and reform. Speculation had also been rife lately that Wang was to become the top legislator, as he made a rare appearance last week at a Standing Committee session of the National People's Congress.

Although his future portfolio has seemingly not yet been finalised, Wang is almost certain to be promoted to the party's top decision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee, at this autumn's congress. Analysts say that whatever portfolio Wang is given, he will bring to it decades of experience in economics and banking and a long record of successful troubleshooting.