Politburo newcomer and Xi protégé confirmed as China’s new propaganda chief before presenting summary of party congress

Li Shulei, 58, reported on the five-yearly party conclave to Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress
Li will enforce Xi Jinping’s vision on ideology, films, internet and media and is expected to spearhead Beijing’s drive to shape global narrative on China

China’s 20th Party Congress

Jun Maiin Beijing

Published: 2:35pm, 27 Oct 2022

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Politburo newcomer and Xi Jinping protégé Li Shulei has been confirmed as the Communist Party’s propaganda chief, with one of his first tasks to present the key message from the recent 20th party congress.

The appointment was confirmed on Wednesday when Li, in his new capacity, attended a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s legislature, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

During the meeting, Li reported on the five-yearly conclave that concluded on Saturday and saw President Xi Jinping kick off a groundbreaking third term as the party’s leader.

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The week-long congress also saw a new line-up of the top echelon of the party unveiled, including the seven-man Politburo Standing Committee and the 24-strong Politburo.

Li, 58, is among 13 new members of the latest Politburo, the third led by Xi. His promotion to the top job at the central propaganda department had been expected, given his elevation to the No 2 position in the department hierarchy just four months before the party congress.

In his new capacity, Li will enforce Xi’s vision on ideology, films, the internet and the media. Li is also expected to spearhead Beijing’s drive to shape the global narrative about China.

It is among a dozen much-watched appointments following the congress, which will include new heads of other key party organs as well as the party chiefs of municipalities and key provinces.

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The past week saw Li Xi, party chief of Guangdong province, promoted to the Politburo Standing Committee and announced as the party’s new anti-corruption chief. Most of the remaining party positions are expected to be confirmed and announced soon.

The appointments to top government positions are expected to be completed by March when the national legislature convenes for its annual session and confirms top government positions, including the premier, some vice-premiers and the leaders of the legislature and political advisory bodies.

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Compared to other loyalists of Xi, Li Shulei is believed to have become acquainted with Xi in person at a relatively late stage, when Xi was assigned as president of the Central Party School in 2007, after he was promoted as an heir apparent of then-president Hu Jintao. Li then became vice-president of the academy.

Li is seen as the most academically gifted official among Xi’s protégés, enrolling in a master’s programme in modern Chinese literature at Peking University in 1982.

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After receiving his doctorate in 1989, Li began working at the Central Party School, the top training academy for party officials. He quickly advanced through the ranks.

In 1999, he was selected by Beijing to study at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Politics, an institution attended by many senior Chinese officials.