Hong Kong, Aug. 30 (CNA) Beijing leadership changes will be made from late 2002 to early 2003, with the pivotal event being the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party in late 2002, according to Asiaweek magazine.
By that time, most of the older officials will have been eased out of office to make way for a significantly younger generation, the magazine reported in its Sept. 8 issue.
According to the report, Vice President Hu Jintao is to take over from Jiang Zemin as Communist Party general secretary and state president. Jiang will retain his chairmanship of the Central Military Commission, thus remaining the power behind the throne.
In addition, the report went on, Guangdong Communist Party Secretary Li Changchun has replaced Vice Premier Wen Jiabao as the front-runner for Premier Zhu Rong-ji's job. Zhu has long made it clear that he does not wish to serve a second term and Li's Guangdong roots may help defuse resentment about the ever-expanding clout of Jiang's "Shanghai faction," according to the magazine.
Hu and party personnel chief Zeng Qinghong will be in charge of preparations for the 16th Party Congress. Zeng is rising in stature, reported Asiaweek, and is slated to become vice president when Hu takes over from Jiang. (By Ken Su)
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