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Politburo member Chen Wenqing to step up to China’s top security job
- Chen will be party secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, overseeing national security and intelligence
- He began his career nearly four decades ago in Sichuan, rising to head the Ministry of State Security
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China’s state security minister will take over as the country’s security chief amid a reshuffle of the country’s leadership.
Chen Wenqing, a new member of the Communist Party’s 24-member Politburo, will succeed Guo Shengkun as party secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, according to a statement on a commission-affiliated website on Friday.
The commission is the party’s highest security body and oversees all legal enforcement agencies, including the police force.
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Chen’s appointment means he will be in charge of China’s national security and intelligence systems, areas President Xi Jinping has repeatedly highlighted over the years, including in his work report to the party’s 20th national congress earlier this month.
“[We must] firmly defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests … and severely combat infiltration, sabotage, subversion, and secession by hostile forces,” Xi said.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping unveils new line-up of country's top decision-making body
Chinese President Xi Jinping unveils new line-up of country's top decision-making body
Chen, 62, is the only member of the Politburo with a background in state security. He also secured a seat in the Central Secretariat, which runs day-to-day party affairs.
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