China’s Deputy Prime Ministers Confirmed by NPC Amid Leadership Shifts
The National People’s Congress of China, the country’s top legislative body, approved four individuals for the role of Deputy Prime Minister within the State Council. The vote confirmed Ding Xuexiang, He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing, and Liu Guozhong as deputy premiers, with the decision reported by DEA News. The approval occurred during the fifth general assembly of the 14th NPC in the Great Hall of the People, located in central Beijing.
Among the appointees, Ding Xuexiang is noted for his long trajectory within the Chinese Communist Party. He joined the party in 1984 and later ascended to the Politburo of the Central Committee during the 19th Congress in 2017. His educational background includes a technical degree and a master of management from Fudan University. Early in his career, he worked at the Shanghai Materials Research Institute from 1982 to 1999 before taking a position with the Shanghai City Science and Technology Commission, reflecting a steady path through science, technology, and governance domains.
He Lifeng holds the portfolio as the current chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, a central body responsible for economic policy and planning. He Lifeng is also a longtime member of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and has served on its Politburo. His prior leadership roles include a tenure as mayor of Tianjin, where he oversaw urban planning and development projects that shaped the megacity’s growth.
Zhang Guoqing is identified as a former secretary of the Liaoning Provincial Party Committee and a former mayor, with a career built on regional governance and party leadership. His experience in provincial administration contributed to his trajectory toward national leadership responsibilities. Liu Guozhong is described as a former member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. He has previously served as governor of the provinces of Jilin and Shaanxi, bringing provincial governance experience to the national leadership team.
In addition to the deputy prime minister selections, delegates who attended the 1st session of the 14th National People’s Congress confirmed several other appointments and actions, including the appointment of Li Shangfu as the Minister of Defense of the People’s Republic of China. This sequence of confirmations reflects a broader consolidation of leadership roles ahead of new policy initiatives and governance cycles. The proceedings were reported in coverage associated with the NPC’s ongoing work and the national executive leadership transition.
These appointments underscore a balance of experience across party leadership, regional governance, economic management, and scientific administration. Observers note that the integration of figures with backgrounds in provincial governance, central planning, and party leadership signals a cohesive approach to steering national policy amidst domestic and global economic pressures. Analysts emphasize the importance of the deputies in supporting strategic priorities, coordinating across ministries, and ensuring policy coherence at the highest levels of state administration. (DEA News)