SCMP: Li Peng vies with other elders to bask in spotlight

SCMP’s Cary Huang reports from Beijing: “A lengthy People’s Daily piece yesterday praising controversial former premier Li Peng is being seen as the latest attempt by party elders to flex their political muscles during sensitive talks to finalise the party’s next leadership line-up.

 

“The article, which ran for nearly a full page in the party’s main mouthpiece, extolled the virtues of Li’s efforts to speed up economic development and overhaul state-owned enterprises. It was written by He Chunlin, who served as secretary general of the National People’s Congress, while Li, 83, was its chairman between 1998 and 2003.”

 

On July 12, People’s Daily already ran a full-page article about Li Peng’s new books on macroeconomics. The full-page article extolling Li Peng on People’s Daily yesterday proves not only Li Peng’s remnant influence in making central media publish the article but also his anxiety to affect the coming reshuffle.

 

This is a very interesting new development in China’s political scene with faction leaders busily coming out in limelight ahead of major reshuffle.

 

Related posts:

3 Factions Come Out in Limelight before Reshuffle dated August 3

SCMP: Li Peng’s thoughts get a big airing dated July 12

Rule of Law and Democracy Advocator Qiao Shi Returns dated June 22

The Mystery of Former Premier Breaking Silence dated January 29

via SCMP.com – Li Peng is latest party veteran to bask in spotlight.

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