Jia Qinglin
Politburo Standing Committee
1940
Oversees United Front work.
Chairs the Tibet Work Leading Group, although it seems Hu Jintao makes the decisions
Overview
Pronunciation: Jeeyah Ching-lin soundbite
Born: 1940, Botou, Hebei Province.
Education: Hebei University of Technology.
Career: Long career in engineering/heavy industry, coincident with local Party positions, rising to number four in the Politburo Standing Committee and Chair of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC). Oversees Taiwan Policy.
Prospects: Due to retire in 2012/13.
Relevance to Tibet: Oversees the United Front work. Chairs the Tibet Work Leading Group, although it seems Hu Jintao makes the decisions.
Standing in the Party and Career Highlights:
Member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the CPC (ranked number four in the Politburo Standing Committee).
Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC), which is a political advisory body and consists of delegates from a range of political parties and organizations, as well as independent members (in practice it only ‘rubberstamps’ policy and Jia’s position seems largely ceremonial).
He frequently visits Tibet for major events, e.g the opening of Lhasa Railway, the 40th Anniversary founding of TAR, 50th anniversary of 17 Point Agreement, and is also present at Tibet-related events in Beijing, e.g Serf Emancipation Day Gala, meeting the Chinese-chosen 11th Panchen Lama.
He is a protégé of Jiang Zemin (key factor) becoming mayor of Beijing in late 90s replacing the scandalous incumbent.
There is serious speculation that he was placed there by Jiang to act as his surrogate after he stepped down. They have been friends for years; Jiang protected him from repercussions of a corruption scandal surrounding Jia’s wife.
In 2006, Jia was one of the targets of an anti-corruption investigation organized by Hu Jintao apparently in a real effort to eliminate corruption but also to get rid of Jiang’s supporters. Rumors of serious corruption had followed Jia for years.
There was speculation that Hu might be reluctant to admit corruption in the Standing Committee but planned to use the evidence to force Jia to retire in 2007. (New York Times) – Jia did not retire.
He was sued in 2004 by Spanish Falun Gong, accused of having persecuted 100,000 Falun Gong practitioners in China.
In 2008 his granddaughter Jasmin Li, was a debutante in Paris.
Jia Qinglin’s Contact Information:
- Address: Zhongnanhai, Xi Chang’an Jie, Beijing 100017.
- Website: www.gov.cn
- Phone: + 86 10 6307 0913
- Fax: + 86 10 6307 0900
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