Jia Qinglin, the nation's fourth-ranking official, is tipped to be the next state leader overseeing Hong Kong affairs, following the unveiling of the leadership lineup yesterday.
Analysts and politicians said Mr Jia, 67, was likely to take over from retiring vice-president Zeng Qinghong to head the leading group of the Communist Party on Hong Kong affairs, because he had more involvement with the city than many other members of the Politburo Standing Committee.
Over the years, the chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference has received Hong Kong's CPPCC members on their visits to Beijing. His most high-profile involvement with Hong Kong issues was a trip to the city last year just ahead of the ninth anniversary of the handover. The visit marked the third anniversary of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.
But some politicians remain sceptical about Mr Jia's political skills.
Doubts hung over his career as corruption scandals surfaced in connection with the mainland's most wanted man, Lai Changxing .
Veteran China watcher Johnny Lau Yui-siu said the stain on Mr Jia's reputation would not affect Beijing's co-ordination with the city given that President Hu Jintao had tightened his grip on Hong Kong issues.
'It doesn't really matter who will take over from Mr Zeng,' he said.
