The Communist Party chief of Anhui province , a protege of President Hu Jintao, is to take over as mayor of Beijing as the capital prepares to host next year's Olympic Games.
Guo Jinlong , 60, has been appointed deputy secretary of the Communist Party's Beijing municipal committee, a statement on the central government's website said yesterday, confirming a South China Morning Post report.
Mr Guo was the only candidate to replace Wang Qishan , who has resigned as mayor, the statement said, indicating the appointment is a foregone conclusion.
Mr Guo has been appointed vice-mayor and acting mayor of Beijing by the standing committee of the municipal people's congress.
The change in the leadership of the capital's government is part of a sweeping reshuffle of key provincial and ministry posts following a major reshuffle of top political posts in October at the party's 17th National Congress.
Mr Guo is seen as being close to Mr Hu, although he does not have a background in the Communist Youth League, the president's power base. He won the president's trust with his performance as the leading party official in Tibet from 1993 to 2004. Mr Hu was Tibet party chief from 1988 to 1992.
Sources said Mr Guo would be in position to take over from Liu Qi as Beijing party chief in the future, most likely after the Olympic Games. The post of Beijing party chief is one of most powerful jobs in mainland politics.
