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Covid statement urging better community and rural care in China hints at health chief role for new Politburo member
- On a three-day trip to Sichuan and Chongqing, Liu Guozhong urged more virus prevention measures at community and rural levels
- Liu is no longer party chief of Shaanxi province but is yet to land a new party or government position other than his Politburo seat
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Liu Guozhong, a new member of the 24-strong Politburo, has called for stronger medical support for Covid-19 cases at the community and rural level in a clear sign he will become the country’s next top health official.
On a three-day trip to Sichuan province and Chongqing in southwestern China that ended on Tuesday, Liu called for efforts to prevent severe cases and for more measures to be employed at the community and rural levels, according to a report by Xinhua.
His statement repeats Beijing’s recent narrative that the country has entered a new phase of its Covid policy.
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Liu was promoted to the Politburo, the party’s decision-making body, during the national party congress in October. He left his previous role as party chief of Shaanxi province in November, and is yet to land a new party or government position other than his Politburo seat.
A reshuffle of regional chiefs in the Politburo – including the heads of Shanghai, Tianjin, Beijing, Chongqing, Guangdong and Xinjiang – finished recently, making it unlikely Liu will land another provincial role.
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