China’s executive vice-premier Han Zheng tipped for vice-presidency after holding on to seat in the legislature

Han is the only outgoing member of the Politburo Standing Committee to retain his place on the National People’s Congress – a potentially significant clue

One political scientist said he is ‘very suitable’ for the role because he ‘knows how to handle foreigners’ as a result of his time in Shanghai

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Han Zheng was selected as a deputy for the next session of the National People’s Congress. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:00pm, 20 Jan 2023Updated: 12:29pm, 14 Feb 2023

Executive vice-premier Han Zheng has become the only retiring member of the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) to retain a seat in the national legislature in a possible sign that he is in line to become vice-president.

Han, who also stepped down from the ruling Communist Party’s Central Committee in October, was selected as a deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress on Wednesday, at Shandong’s provincial people’s congress.

A count by the South China Morning Post shows that all the regional people’s congresses have selected their delegates for March’s meeting of the legislature and no other retiring PSBC members retained their seats.

Key party leaders – including President Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, who is expected to be the next premier, and other serving Politburo members – have all been reelected as deputies, so they will be appointed to various senior state roles in March.

According to past norms, members of the PSBC who retire from their party roles do not keep their seats in the legislature unless they are to be given a new job.

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