Beijing, Oct 29 (AP) Chinese President Xi Jinping haspromoted an ally to the top job in Shanghai, media reportedtoday.
The elevation of Li Qiang is another sign of Xi'sincreasing control over China. Xi has amassed more personalpower -- and propaganda backing -- than any leader since MaoZedong in the 1970s, breaking with two decades of sharedauthority among a group of senior party figures.
Part of his power accumulation efforts include promotingallies from Zhejiang province, which is near Shanghai andwhere Xi once led the Communist Party, to senior party,government and army posts.
Li, 58, worked under Xi when Xi was party chief inZhejiang from 2003-2007. Seen as a proponent of economicreforms, Li will likely champion Xi's vision for Shanghai as aglobal trading hub.
The official Xinhua News Agency reported today that Lireplaces Han Zheng, who was elevated to the party's topdecision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee.
Under Xi's leadership, the Communist Party has becomeincreasingly assertive in promoting its own vision for how toregulate global finance, technology, news media and othermatters.
Outside monitoring groups say China strictly controlsfreedom of expression and abuses human rights. (AP)KIS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.