Economist Meng Fanli, 56, named Communist Party chief of China’s tech hub Shenzhen
- Meng was most recently the party chief of Baotou, an industrial hub in Inner Mongolia
- The Shenzhen role is ‘very important’ and often seen as a stepping stone to provincial and national leadership, observer notes
The appointment of Meng Fanli, 56, was announced on Tuesday by the party in Guangdong province, state news agency Xinhua reported. He takes over from Wang Weizhong, who has been confirmed as governor of Guangdong after carrying out the dual role of acting governor and Shenzhen party chief since December.
Meng, a native of eastern Shandong province, has kept a relatively low profile thus far. But he is a star worth watching out for because of his relative youth – many top Chinese leaders are well into their 60s, as well as his rich local administrative experience and solid academic background, an analyst observed.
Armed with a PhD in economics, Meng taught accounting before venturing into a career in finance and commerce administration. After 20 years as an official in Shandong, with his last position as mayor of the port city of Qingdao, Meng was promoted in 2020 to become the party chief of Baotou, a major industrial hub in Inner Mongolia.
