Guangdong's Wang Yang more style than substance, some say

While Wang Yang has certainly left his mark as Guangdong party secretary, it is safe to assume the province's citizens will not be looking back on his tenure with the same reverence as they did when Lin Ruo left office.

More than two decades after Lin's freewheeling reign came to an end, his death at age 88 earlier this month stirred an outpouring of grief that most modern Chinese leaders could only dream of.

Everywhere, journalists, academics and common citizens paid tribute to the liberal party boss. In particular, they praised his support for greater press freedom and a stronger rule of law, a lasting legacy they continue to cherish this day.

For many in Guangdong, Lin's death just weeks before Wang's expected exit as party secretary served only to highlight the disappointment many have felt about his five-year tenure.

After taking office in 2007, Wang immediately caught the attention of reformers and foreign journalists for his promotion of more liberal policies and a seemingly softer leadership style.

He appeared to have the potential to leverage a reform message into political success, and some began discussing him as a candidate for the Politburo's Standing Committee after the party's 18th national congress.