This was published 12 years ago
Wang Yang wouldn't admit it, of course, but he may be the future face of China
By Philip Wen
BEIJING: Is Wang Yang the face of China's political future? The hype is certainly building around Guangdong's provincial party chief.
With China gearing up to change its top leaders later this year, the annual meeting of its parliament now under way takes on extra significance, with those in the running given the prime forum to show their credentials.
Relaxed and jovial … Wang Yang during a news conference at the National People's Congress on Monday. He is modest about his role in settling the Wukan uprising.Credit: Sanghee Liu
Relaxed and jovial, Mr Wang, who turns 57 next week, cuts a very different figure from the serious and staid brand of politician that has dominated the senior ranks of Chinese politics since the days of Deng Xiaoping. He is known for his comparatively liberal and reformative approach to politics and yet is set to rise to the highest level of Chinese politics.
Mr Wang, who, like President Hu Jintao, comes from Anhui province, joked freely with reporters at a news conference on Monday. At one stage, Mr Wang, who makes no secret of his inability to grasp Guangdong's local dialect, poked fun at one British correspondent's attempt at a question. ''Your Mandarin is even harder to understand than Cantonese,'' he said, prompting laughter from the room.
When the humbled reporter tried a follow-up question, but appeared to lose his tongue, Mr Wang had another jibe ready. ''Before I couldn't understand you, now I can't hear you,'' he said good-naturedly.
Perhaps it was just a tactful, disarming ploy to buy himself time. The question was direct and pertinent, about how he planned to push his credentials for a spot on the nine-man Politburo Standing Committee, a promotion that would give him power over every aspect of China's policy-making.
''Talking about the leadership doesn't seem too appropriate,'' he said.
''Let's wait until a more appropriate time before we discuss.''
Mr Wang has been thrust in the spotlight since taking on the role of party secretary of Guangdong in 2007, having previously served the same role in Chongqing.
Often mentioned in the same breath is Bo Xilai, another rising star who succeeded Mr Wang as Chongqing party chief. A similarly urbane and media-savvy operator, Mr Bo's chances of promotion, however, have been thrown into doubt after a dramatic scandal involving his former police chief Wang Lijun.
Crucially, in Guangdong, Mr Wang has earned plaudits for his handling of the recent uprising in Wukan village, where protests over rural land rights were eventually met with a consultative, rather than violent, approach. The village successfully held elections last weekend to replace corrupt committee members, with the protest leader, Lin Zuluan, elected as village chief.
The issue was often raised by reporters on Monday, with Mr Wang responding almost flippantly, while also playing down the significance of the issue.
''I would like to ask why you are so interested in the Wukan incident. It seems everyone wants to ask this,'' he said.
''I'll be honest. When I decided to send my team to Wukan to investigate, it wasn't because the actual problem was too big, but it was because we had this idea that we could solve the problem and learn from the experience.''
While the successors to President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, are almost certain to be Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang respectively, five other members on the Politburo Standing Committee are due to be replaced later this year.
It would now be seen as an upset if Mr Wang is not elevated to the Standing Committee.