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Wen JiabaoPremier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China
Date of Birth: 15.09.1942
Country:  China |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Political Career
- Rise to Leadership
- Disaster Relief and Finance Oversight
- Prime Ministerial Contender
Early Life and Education
Wen Jiabao was born in September 1942 in Tianjin, China. He pursued higher education at Beijing Institute of Geology, where he graduated in 1968 and later completed a postgraduate degree.
Political Career
Wen Jiabao's political journey began in 1965 when he became a member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). From 1968 to 1982, he conducted geological research in Gansu Province.
In 1985, Wen entered the realm of party politics. He served as Deputy Director and subsequently Director of the General Office of the CCP Central Committee until 1993. His rise within the party continued in November 1987 when he joined the CCP Central Committee.
Rise to Leadership
Over the following years, Wen's political stature grew. In October 1992, he became a candidate member of the Politburo and a member of the Secretariat of the CCP Central Committee. In September 1997, he was elevated to full membership of the Politburo.
In March 1998, Wen Jiabao was appointed Vice Premier of the State Council, where he oversaw agricultural and scientific-technical affairs. His abilities as a skilled administrator and pragmatic leader became evident during his tenure.
Disaster Relief and Finance Oversight
Wen Jiabao's leadership qualities were tested in challenging situations. In June 1998, he headed the CCP Central Committee's Financial Inspection Group. Later that year, when devastating floods claimed over 3,500 lives, he led the disaster relief efforts.
Prime Ministerial Contender
The 16th National Congress of the CCP, which concluded recently, marked a significant milestone for Wen Jiabao. He was elected to the Standing Committee of the Politburo, the highest decision-making body of the party. This development positions him as a potential contender for the post of Premier when the current Premier, Zhu Rongji, is expected to step down at the National People's Congress in March 2003.
