The 9 members of China’s communist party who rule the country

 

It is a great piece that shares little known facts about the Rising Tiger, like all the elites dye their hair black (usually with “jet-black pompadours”) and only go gray once they retire or are imprisoned.

Others like how leaders are chosen every 5 years at the National Congress and the preferable color of tie is red.

The last one was held in 2007, which means that we are due. The reigning group of elites, made up of 9 men, are very powerful and completely in control of this vast country. This group includes current president Hu Jintao, and his possible replacements Xi Jinping and Wang Yang.

After them are seven more individuals who each hold immense amount of power and sway. The Foreign Policy article has bios for each of them, here is one:

 

Wang Qishan

The mayor of Beijing from 2003 to 2007, Wang Qishan is currently the vice premier responsible for economic, energy, and financial affairs, serving under outgoing premier Wen. Wang’s former counterpart, former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, called him “decisive and inquisitive,” with a “wicked sense of humor.” The son-in-law of the late Vice Premier Yao Yilin, Wang is one of the princelings, a group of often high-ranking leaders who are the sons and daughters of top officials. Chinese political observers see princelings like Wang as more closely allied with the leadership faction of former President Jiang Zemin than that of current President Hu Jintao. Brookings’ Li thinks Wang, nicknamed “chief of the fire brigade” for his competence amid crisis, is almost certain to obtain a seat on the Standing Committee.

 

The rest of them are just as interesting, keep reading – Meet China’s Next Leaders

 

 

The Great Hall of the People, where the National Congress is held. (photo: Luo Rong)

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