Zhang Dejiang, an ally of ex-leader Jiang Zemin, becomes NPC chairman
Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang, who is appointed as chairman of the National People's Congress, won former leader Jiang Zemin's trust in 1990

Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang, a former Guangdong party chief, became China's top legislator yesterday.

Li Jianguo , who was re-elected as NPC vice-chairman, will be the top ranked of its 13 vice-chairpersons. Ten are newcomers.
Zhang Ming , a political scientist, said Zhang would have less political influence than Wu, who ranked second in the Politburo Standing Committee behind then-president Hu Jintao .
Zhang Dejiang, 66, a North Korean-educated ally of former president Jiang Zemin , developed a reputation for rigid efficiency during his two-decade rise from provincial party chief to vice-premier.
To the surprise of many, Shen Yueyue , 56, executive vice-minister of the party's Central Organisation Department, was elected as a new NPC vice-chairwoman.
