By Joe Cash
BEIJING, Oct 30 (Reuters) – China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng has been appointed director of the ruling Communist Party’s commission covering economic policy, the financial sector and trade ties with Washington, strengthening his status as the country’s economic overlord.
He, who had previously headed the state planning agency, became one of China’s four vice premiers in March when he replaced Liu He, who retired.
He has now also replaced Liu as director of the office of the Central Finance and Economic Affairs Commission, a party body headed by President Xi Jinping.
State media for the first time referred to He by his latest title in a readout of his meeting with a visiting French official on Sunday.
Though regarded as a confidant of President Xi, He’s ascent has surprised some analysts, who had expected Premier Li Qiang, former Shanghai party secretary, to take a bigger role in…
