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China reveals Ding Xuexiang as head of Communist Party science and technology body
- High-ranking appointment unveiled in report on the executive vice-president’s address to leading scientists at a conference in Beijing
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In a sign that Chinese President Xi Jinping is delegating more powers in his unprecedented third term, top-ranking Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang has been revealed as head of the ruling Communist Party’s Central Science and Technology Commission.
State news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday that Ding addressed the second plenary session of the National Science and Technology Conference in Beijing as head of the new commission, as well as in his capacity as a Politburo Standing Committee member.
The commission was established in March last year – as part of a far-reaching overhaul of government and party organs – to oversee China’s drive towards self-reliance in science and technology, but its leadership was unknown until now.
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The commission was one of several new bodies formed at the “two sessions” annual legislative meetings last year, which marked the beginning of Xi’s third term as head of state.
Also last year, Premier Li Qiang was announced as head the Central Finance Commission – another party body founded that March – while Ding was appointed executive vice-premier and months later became the State Council’s point man on science development.
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Meanwhile, Xi’s chief of staff Cai Qi was made head of the policymaking Cyberspace Affairs Commission, a role previously held by Xi. His appointment was not revealed until this year, as reported exclusively by the South China Morning Post.
Neil Thomas, a Chinese politics fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Centre for China Analysis, said the appointment suggested that Xi was feeling more politically secure than in his first two terms.
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