Beijing mayor Guo Jinlong was promoted to party secretary of the capital yesterday at the close of the municipal Communist Party congress, paving the way for him to become a Politburo member at this autumn's national party congress.
Guo, a close ally of President Hu Jintao, replaces 70-year-old Liu Qi and his promotion means Hu will still have a strong influence on affairs in the capital well after his retirement next year.
In a speech delivered to reporters after his appointment, Guo, 65, called on party members to stick to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and maintain unity with the party central committee.
'We are keenly aware of our difficult task and grave responsibility,' he said. 'We must strive to deliver satisfactory results for all the people of Beijing.'
Wang Anshun, the municipality's second deputy party secretary, was promoted to first deputy party secretary and is set to succeed Guo as the capital's mayor.
Wang, 55, has extensive experience in the oil industry, a power base of former vice-president Zeng Qinghong . His 2007 transfer from Shanghai to become the capital's second deputy party secretary, coming in the wake of the sacking of disgraced Shanghai party chief Chen Liangyu , surprised many observers of mainland politics. He was among the favourites to succeed Wang Qishan as Beijing mayor in 2007 but the job went to Guo instead.
The promotion of Ji Lin , the city's executive vice-mayor, to succeed Wang Anshun as second deputy party secretary is seen as another move confirming Hu's influence in the capital's new leadership line-up. Ji previously served as head of the capital's Communist Youth League and the youth league is Hu's power base.
