Rising star Li Yuanchao forges ties with all political factions in China

If there's one thing that Li Yuanchao has

established during his rise to become chief of the Organisation Department -the Communist Party's patronage control centre - it is that he can forge strong ties across the factional spectrum. 

At 51, Li is seen as a member of the "princeling" faction of children born to exalted revolutionary parents. He also has one foot planted in former president Jiang Zemin's "Shanghai gang" and another set in the Communist Youth League, a key power base for President Hu Jintao .

With such connections, Li is considered one of the most likely candidates to ascend to the supreme Politburo Standing Committee at the upcoming party congress. He is also tipped to take over as vice-president next year, when Vice-President Xi Jinping is expected to ascend to the presidency.

As an example of how well Li is regarded across the factions, he was spotted at the northern resort town of Beidaihe last month, mingling with the party's most powerful current and former leaders as they thrashed out the final personnel arrangements ahead of the autumn leadership transition.

Li joined Xi in receiving dignitaries - most of them experts in various fields - at the Beidaihe meeting, according to a report. It also gave him a chance to show off his personal touch when he hosted a banquet for dignitaries.

"It was great atmosphere that night," the report quoted one who attended, saying. "Li didn't even have time to have a bite, because he's going around the tables and making toasts with everybody."