ExclusiveChongqing mayor Huang Qifan to move to China’s legislature
New position ends months of speculation the political veteran would take over China’s financial reform, as Beijing promotes a young rising star to head the southwest economic powerhouse
Chongqing mayor Huang Qifan is expected to be transferred to a post in China’s rubber stamp legislature as Beijing promotes a rising political star to succeed him as head of the hinterland’s economic powerhouse.
China has entered an intensive season of reshuffles ahead of the 19th party congress in the fall of next year. Much attention has been paid to the next position for Huang and the choice of his successor.
Sources told the South China Morning Post that Huang is expected to move to one of the sub committees under the National People’s Congress, putting an end to months of speculation that he had been picked by President Xi Jinping to oversee the country’s financial reform.
Huang, at 64, is one year shy of retirement for his level. The new appointment for Huang, who survived a political storm in Chongqing during the time of former city party boss Bo Xilai, signals he would have limited power instead of being fast tracked to taking a senior position in the State Council or financial regulators.
His vacancy would be filled by Zhang Guoqing, deputy party boss of the mega municipality, according to sources.
The announcement is expected to be made public soon.