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China expected to send veteran trade official to Hong Kong for top economic job

  • Yin Zonghua has been a Beijing point man to the World Trade Organization and is expected to take up a liaison office position soon, sources say
  • ‘More changes are on the way’ after delays in some appointments caused by the pandemic

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Yin Zonghua is the front runner to take over as deputy director in charge of economic affairs at Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

Beijing is expected to send a veteran trade official to oversee economic affairs at its liaison office in Hong Kong, according to government sources.

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Yin Zonghua, 56, a deputy director of the country’s top political consultative body, is the front runner to take over as deputy director in charge of economic affairs at the liaison office. He would replace Qiu Hong, who is retiring, according to two sources who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue.

One source said Yin, who is deputy director of the Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and overseas Chinese committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, “will take up the role in the liaison office soon”.

A second source based in Hong Kong confirmed Yin’s transfer.

Sources say Yin Zonghua is set to replace Qiu Hong at the Hong Kong liaison office. Photo: Handout
Sources say Yin Zonghua is set to replace Qiu Hong at the Hong Kong liaison office. Photo: Handout
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Yin’s transfer is the second big change at the liaison office this year. Wang Songmiao, a former spokesman for the country’s top prosecutor, took over from Wen Hongwu as the office’s secretary general earlier this month.
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