CHINA

China Names New Security Chief for Strategic Xinjiang Region

Published: Feb. 10, 2026 4:54 p.m. GMT+8

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File photo of Wang Gang. Photo: People's Daily Online

A veteran administrator with experience managing China’s border trade and energy hubs has been named the top security official for the northwestern region of Xinjiang.

Wang Gang, 52, has been appointed as a member of the Standing Committee of the Xinjiang Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. He has assumed the role previously held by Deputy Party Secretary Chen Mingguo, who had been managing the portfolio concurrently.

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This is an AI-generated English rendering of original reporting or commentary published by Caixin Media. In the event of any discrepancies, the Chinese version shall prevail.

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Wang Gang, 52, has been appointed as Xinjiang's top security official and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.
Wang has extensive experience in Xinjiang, previously serving as party chief of Horgos, leading Karamay, and as party secretary of Aksu.
He became the youngest provincial-level Political and Legal Affairs Commission secretary in China with this promotion.

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What Happened When

1995：: Wang Gang graduated from Xinjiang University.

2012：: Wang Gang transitioned from personnel management to regional administration.

January 2023：: Wang Gang was elected as a vice chairman of the Xinjiang regional government.

By January 2026：: Wang Gang had been elected to the Xinjiang Party Committee's regional Standing Committee.

January 31, 2026：: The regional legislature accepted Wang Gang's resignation as vice chairman to pave the way for his new focus on internal security.

February 9, 2026：: Wang Gang's appointment as a member of the Xinjiang Party Committee Standing Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission was confirmed as he appeared at a regional meeting in his new capacity.

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