Wang Qishan
Encyclopedia
Wang Qishan is a politician
in the People's Republic of China
who currently serves as the Vice-Premier in charge of economic, energy and financial affairs under premier Wen Jiabao
. Previously Wang served in regional positions in Hainan
and Beijing
. He was elected to the 17th Politburo of the Communist Party of China
, became a member 17th CPC Central Committee and was elected Vice-Premier in March 2008. Wang is speculated to be a core figure in the upcoming fifth generation of CPC leadership.
, Shandong
but his ancestral hometown is considered Tianzhen, Shanxi
. Wang graduated from the History Department of Northwest University
in 1976. Wang was the Governor
of the China Construction Bank
from 1994 to 1997. He first took over from Meng Xuenong when SARS struck Beijing
in spring 2003, at which time he was the Party Secretary
in Hainan
, and was confirmed as mayor
in early 2004. From 2004-2007, Wang served as the Mayor of Beijing. He is known to be frank and responsible. In a recent City Management Radio programme, listeners were astonished to hear the mayor apologize. In 2007, he became a member of the Politboro of the 17th CPC Central Committee, a member of the 17th CPC Central Committee and in 2008 he became Vice Premier of the State Council.
In 2009, Wang was appointed by President Hu Jintao as his special representative to chair the Economic Track of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue for the Chinese side.
said that Wang is "decisive and inquisitive" and "an avid historian, enjoys philosophical debates and has a wicked sense of humor." Paulson writes, "He is a Chinese patriot, but he understands the U.S. and knows that each of our two countries benefits from the other's economic success. And he is bold — he takes on challenges, does things that have never been done before and succeeds. Wang managed the largest bankruptcy restructuring in China's history in 1998 and thereby prevented a banking crisis that could have crippled the country's growth."
Wang was named as one of the most influential people in the world in the 2009 Time 100 list.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
in the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
who currently serves as the Vice-Premier in charge of economic, energy and financial affairs under premier Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao is the sixth and current Premier and Party secretary of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, serving as China's head of government and leading its cabinet. In his capacity as Premier, Wen is regarded as the leading figure behind China's economic policy...
. Previously Wang served in regional positions in Hainan
Hainan
Hainan is the smallest province of the People's Republic of China . Although the province comprises some two hundred islands scattered among three archipelagos off the southern coast, of its land mass is Hainan Island , from which the province takes its name...
and Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. He was elected to the 17th Politburo of the Communist Party of China
Politburo of the Communist Party of China
The Central Politburo of the Communist Party of China or Political bureau of the CPC Central Committee , formerly as Central Bureau before 1927, is a group of 24 people who oversee the Communist Party of China...
, became a member 17th CPC Central Committee and was elected Vice-Premier in March 2008. Wang is speculated to be a core figure in the upcoming fifth generation of CPC leadership.
Biography
Wang Qishan was born in QingdaoQingdao
' also known in the West by its postal map spelling Tsingtao, is a major city with a population of over 8.715 million in eastern Shandong province, Eastern China. Its built up area, made of 7 urban districts plus Jimo city, is home to about 4,346,000 inhabitants in 2010.It borders Yantai to the...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
but his ancestral hometown is considered Tianzhen, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
. Wang graduated from the History Department of Northwest University
Northwest University, China
Northwest University , located in the ancient Chinese capital city of Xi'an, is one of the nation's leading comprehensive universities. Founded in 1902, it is one of the oldest institutions of learning in Northwest China....
in 1976. Wang was the Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of the China Construction Bank
China Construction Bank
China Construction Bank is one of the 'big four' banks in the People's Republic of China. To date, it is ranked as the nation's second largest and the second largest bank in the world by market capitalization and 12th largest company in the world. The bank has approximately 13,629 domestic branches...
from 1994 to 1997. He first took over from Meng Xuenong when SARS struck Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
in spring 2003, at which time he was the Party Secretary
Party secretary
In politics, a party secretary is a senior official within a political party with responsibility for the organizational and daily political work. In most parties, the party secretary is second in rank to the party leader ....
in Hainan
Hainan
Hainan is the smallest province of the People's Republic of China . Although the province comprises some two hundred islands scattered among three archipelagos off the southern coast, of its land mass is Hainan Island , from which the province takes its name...
, and was confirmed as mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
in early 2004. From 2004-2007, Wang served as the Mayor of Beijing. He is known to be frank and responsible. In a recent City Management Radio programme, listeners were astonished to hear the mayor apologize. In 2007, he became a member of the Politboro of the 17th CPC Central Committee, a member of the 17th CPC Central Committee and in 2008 he became Vice Premier of the State Council.
In 2009, Wang was appointed by President Hu Jintao as his special representative to chair the Economic Track of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue for the Chinese side.
Personal life
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Henry PaulsonHenry Paulson
Henry Merritt "Hank" Paulson, Jr. is an American banker who served as the 74th United States Secretary of the Treasury. He previously served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Sachs.-Early life and family:...
said that Wang is "decisive and inquisitive" and "an avid historian, enjoys philosophical debates and has a wicked sense of humor." Paulson writes, "He is a Chinese patriot, but he understands the U.S. and knows that each of our two countries benefits from the other's economic success. And he is bold — he takes on challenges, does things that have never been done before and succeeds. Wang managed the largest bankruptcy restructuring in China's history in 1998 and thereby prevented a banking crisis that could have crippled the country's growth."
Wang was named as one of the most influential people in the world in the 2009 Time 100 list.