Han Zheng set to become China VP in surprise turn

Staff Reporter

Vice premier Han Zheng is expected to become China's next vice president in a surprise turn after he stepped down from a top leadership role last November.

Han, 68, regarded as a Hong Kong and Macau affairs expert, left the Politburo Standing Committee after the 20th national congress last year.

It was believed that Han, who reached the conventional retirement age of 68, would retire.

But instead, he was appointed a Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference member for Shandong province earlier this week.

His good rapport and rich experience in foreign affairs has gained the trust of President Xi Jinping, sources said, adding that he will succeed Wang Qishan and assist Xi in handling foreign relations.

Although Han has stepped down as a Politburo Standing Committee member, he will remain an important figure.

Born in Shanghai in 1954, Han became the mayor of his hometown at the age 49 of and served for 10 years. He built a good relationship with Xi while working with him for seven months.

He became a Politburo member and party secretary of Shanghai in 2012, and was later appointed as a Politburo Standing Committee member in 2017 and vice premier.

He was responsible in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative and the establishment of the Greater Bay Area. Han also led the development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Yangtze River Delta.

As the head of the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, Han handled the 2019 social unrest in Hong Kong by imposing the national security law, changing the electoral system of the SAR and implementing the "patriots ruling Hong Kong principle."

Punishing a small number of rioters who seek Hong Kong independence and opposing foreign interference are crucial to safeguarding the SAR's long-term stability, Han said.

During the Belt and Road Summit last August, he gave a virtual speech saying that Hong Kong has restored stability and the central government supports the SAR in maintaining partnership with foreign allies.

Sources said Han will no longer be in charge of Hong Kong and Macau affairs, but it is unclear who will take over his duties.

The seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee will include Xi as president and Li Qiang, who is expected to become the next premier.

Former chief of the party's anti-corruption body Zhao Leji is set to become the chairman of the National People's Congress's Standing Committee, while political theorist Wang Huning is expected to be the chairman of the CPPCC.

Cai Qi will become the new chief of ideology and party affairs, Ding Xuexiang the vice premier of the State Council and Li Xi the head of the anti-corruption body.