A senior official sanctioned by the US, UK, EU and Canada for his involvement in alleged human rights violations in China’s far west Xinjiang region has been promoted to highest post in Tibet.
Wang Junzheng was promoted to head of the Communist Party of the Tibet Autonomous Territory on Tuesday, according to Chinese state media.
Wang Junzheng, 58, was the deputy secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) Committee and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.
Wang’s appointment to the Tibet post would be closely watched by rights groups around the world, as well as by New Delhi, given lingering border tensions along the Real Line of Control (LAC) in eastern China. Ladakh.
The outgoing secretary of the Communist Party of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Wu Yingjie, 65, who took office in 2016, was not immediately apparent, but he has most likely retired.
Wang’s elevation demonstrates Beijing’s rejection of the West’s reaction to its actions in Xinjiang, as well as its growing interest in the pool of officials who have been touted as examples of competence in places where important people live. ethnic minority populations.
Wang will succeed Wu Yingjie in Tibet when he retires at age 65 in two months.
Wang’s rise was part of a series of regional leader appointments announced on Tuesday, as Beijing accelerates preparations for the party’s 20th Congress, a five-year transfer of power, due to take place next fall.
(With contributions from agencies)
