China Names Veteran Theorist to Lead Top Policy Office
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The Chinese Communist Party has appointed Tang Fangyu as the new director of the Central Policy Research Office, placing a veteran political theorist in charge of the leadership’s top think tank and document-drafting body.
Tang, 62, replaces Jiang Jinquan, who has led the office since 2020. The change marks the office’s first leadership reshuffle in more than five years. The appointment was confirmed in state media reports on Wednesday covering a lecture series on the spirit of the recent Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Party Central Committee, where Tang appeared in his new capacity.
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- Tang Fangyu, age 62, has been appointed as director of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Policy Research Office, succeeding Jiang Jinquan.
- The office is a key think tank and document-drafting body, historically led by figures like Wang Huning; Tang is its fifth director since 1989.
- Tang is known for his focus on political security, held senior policy roles, and has frequently appeared with Xi Jinping in recent years.
- 2017：
- Tang Fangyu transferred to the General Office of the Central Committee and played a role in drafting the report for the 19th Party Congress.
- 2020：
- Jiang Jinquan began leading the Central Policy Research Office.
- December 2021：
- Tang Fangyu published an article in Guangming Daily about managing systemic political risks.
- 2022：
- Following the 20th Party Congress, Tang was vocal in support of President Xi Jinping’s push for 'comprehensive strict governance of the Party.'
- January 2023：
- Tang Fangyu was briefly transferred to Chongqing to serve as chairman of the municipal Political Consultative Conference.
- Late 2023：
- Tang Fangyu returned to Beijing after his posting in Chongqing.
- November 2023：
- Tang Fangyu accompanied Xi Jinping on an inspection in Beijing and Hebei, appearing with then-Director Jiang.
- By July 2024：
- Official records listed Tang Fangyu as a deputy director of the Central Policy Research Office (ministerial level).
- July 2024：
- Tang Fangyu attended the Third Plenary Session press conference to interpret the Party’s decision on reforms.
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