Reform-minded Zhang Chunxian takes tough line on Xinjiang violence

For years, Zhang Chunxian's news conferences on the sidelines of the National People's Congress have been one of the most popular events among journalists covering the otherwise highly scripted legislative affair.

In contrast to his fellow provincial party bosses - or just about anyone in the party leadership, for that matter - Zhang is known to host free-wheeling press events in which he encourages reporters to ask any questions they like.

As many as 200 reporters have turned out at a time to test him with all sorts of queries.

"Are there any other sensitive questions?" Zhang asked with a sly smile just as journalists were getting up to leave one such press conference two years ago.

His reputation for open-mindedness and for being media savvy has helped make 59-year-old Zhang, who now serves as the party boss in the vast western Xinjiang autonomous region, a popular choice for promotion to the powerful 25-seat Politburo after the upcoming national party congress.

But for all his accessibility Zhang has demonstrated another skill likely to resonate with Beijing: wielding an iron fist when putting down violence among Xinjiang's restive Uygur ethnic communities.