Speculation on Cabinet Appointments

Now that the dust has settled somewhat on the recent 17th Chinese Communist Party Congress, pundits have shifted into a different gear of predicting who will be appointed to which cabinet positions in a few months' time.

The speculation right now is that Li Keqiang (李克强), Zhang Dejiang (张德江, pictured), and Wang Qishan (王岐山) are most likely to assume the positions of deputy premiers. They are likely to succeed Huang Ju (黄菊), who had died, as well as Wu Yi (吴仪), and Zeng Peiyan (曾培炎) who are expected to step down.

Specifically, it is predicted that Li will assume the taxation, industry, transportation and social welfare portfolios, while Wang will be in charge of financial matters. Zhang, on the other hand, is likely to take on external trade, quality inspection, and food safety.

As for Xi Jinping (习近平), he is expected to take over Zeng Qinghong's (曾庆红) current duties, including Hong Kong and Macau matters.

Among those appointed to the Politburo, 13 hailed from central bodies, 10 from provincial bodies, and 2 from the People's Liberation Army. Among them, Liaoning governor Li Keqiang and Chongqing Party secretary Wang Yang (汪洋) are the youngest at 52. Wang and Jiangsu Party secretary Li Chaoyuan (李源潮) even jumped two tiers - i.e. without having been elected to the Central Committee of the CCP prior to this year. The only female politburo member is Liu Yandong (刘延东).

Interestingly, for me at least, Zhang Dejiang majored in Korean language at Yanbian University (延边大学). He later graduated from the Economics Department of the Kim Il Sung Comprehensive University.