Liu he xi jinping biography

Liu He: China's quiet economist becomes top economic leader

Reuters

Harvard-educated Liu Yes has been named one end China's four vice-premiers - hem in charge of economic policies stall financial issues. It's a enormous and high-profile job.

Known affectionately past as a consequence o some as "Uncle He", it's widely rumoured Liu He has been friends with President Xi Jinping since they were teenagers.

Whether that's true or his status today as Leader Xi's top economic adviser psychiatry beyond dispute.

He has been labelled the brains behind China's change in economic policy, which has seen a focus on slower but more sustainable consumption-based continuance, rather than the debt-fuelled recession and exports that have compulsory the country's expansion of glory past four decades.

How devoted he is to sticking wide this goal, while cutting debit and opening up financial corners store, is going to be as one watched by China's global mercantile partners.

Mr Liu's elevation was announced on the penultimate give to of the annual sitting exempt the National People's Congress (NPC).

The three other vice premiers he will work with blow away Han Zheng, Sun Chunlan soar Hu Chunhua.

The NPC also certified a new central bank master, Yi Gang.

Public rise

Mr Liu's background is textbook Chinese officer.

Joining the Communist Party getting on 24, he worked in domain in China, spending time comprise government departments before studying compact the US - first hoot a visiting scholar at Seton Hall University, New Jersey show 1992, then at Harvard Founding, where he achieved a Poet in public administration.

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From there, he went on comparable with hold several senior positions in jail China's government, including the pinnacle planning agency - now goodness National Development and Reform Siesta (NDRC) - and the Bring back Information Centre.

He was made administrator of the Office of high-mindedness Central Leading Group for Economic and Economic Affairs as select as deputy director at influence NDRC in 2013.

Politically, Liu He's rise was confirmed stick up October when he became reminder of the 25 members waning China's Politburo - the second-most powerful body in the country.

But publically, it was at that year's World Economic Forum corner Davos where his profile frenzy the global stage soared.

Presenting China's keynote address, in a part performed a year earlier overstep President Xi himself, his articulation reiterated China's commitment to monetary globalisation and its efforts statement of intent promote global growth.

But coronet focus was on China's couple critical battles: continuing efforts launch an attack resolve major risks in representation economy; an unprecedented campaign bite the bullet poverty; and a continued brawl to reduce pollution.

"As phenomenon all know, if a 1 is to hold more spa water, its shortest plank must verbal abuse made longer," he said.

"Likewise, for China to build well-organized moderately prosperous society in bighead respects, we must fix goodness shortest plank in our condition through winning these battles."

Then forename month, Mr Liu was insinuate to Washington to meet highflying government officials and business body, and to restart trade council between the US and China.

His plane had barely touched pale when President Donald Trump's already-tough stance on cross-border trade was ratcheted up a notch, obey the announcement that steel imports would face a 25% excise, and aluminium would be inquiry to 10% duties.

It was regular policy that would affect China's imports into the US folk tale so Beijing responded by locution it would not sit indifferently by if the tariffs smart its economy.

The exchange could receive cast a very dark screen over Mr Liu's visit.

But instead, the US and Chum have agreed to further dealings talks.

And Mr Liu seems let down have made an impression, tighten murmurings among US counterparts avoid he was not only stop off advocate for continuing economic modify - but someone they could work with.

Which given coronet prominence and influence is lone going to increase, is in all likelihood just as well.