Confidant of Chinese president now seen as a strong contender to join the Communist Party’s higher ranks during autumn reshuffle
China has appointed Chen Miner, a rising political star, as the Communist Party boss in southwestern Chongqing, cementing his credentials as a contender to join the upper echelon of the party at its five-yearly congress this autumn.
The possible elevation of Chen, a trusted confidant of President Xi Jinping, will be a sign of Xi flexing his political muscle during the leadership reshuffle.
Chen will take over the Chongqing role from Sun Zhengcai, Xinhua reported.
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Xinhua’s report did not mention what Sun’s next move would be.
Chongqing, as one of China’s four key cities, is usually run by a Communist Party secretary from the 25-member Politburo.
Chen is one of only three provincial party chiefs born in the 1960s – along with Guangdong’s Hu Chunhua and Chongqing’s Sun – and the only one of those not already a Politburo member.
