China’s central bank chief Zhou Xiaochuan ‘headed for Boao Forum’, Asia’s Davos
Influential PBOC head expected to be named to new post during national legislative sessions next month
Zhou Xiaochuan, China’s longest-serving central bank governor, is tipped to become the new vice-chairman of the Boao Forum – known as Asia’s Davos – after he retires next month, sources said.
Zhou, 70, will replace Zeng Peiyan, 79, in the post after Zhou steps down as governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) during the annual meeting of the national legislature next month, three sources said.
A fluent English speaker, Zhou is one of the world’s most influential central bank governors.
He is credited with loosening interest rate controls, boosting the yuan’s global clout and developing new policy tools to control money supply and guide market expectations, as Beijing seeks to contain debt risks fuelled by previous policy stimulus.
Zhou, central bank governor since 2002, would breathe new life into the annual event, the sources said.
“He is widely accepted and recognised by the international community. His arrival at the post will further enhance Boao’s international influence and its role as a multilateral international arena,” a government policy adviser said.