'Leading Candidate for China's Next Premier' Wang Yang Meets Leadership of China Islamic Association

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[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] Wang Yang, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and a leading candidate for the next Premier of the Chinese Communist Party, met with the new leadership of the China Islamic Association.

According to major Chinese state media including the People's Daily on the 21st, Chairman Wang met with a member of the new leadership of the Islamic Association the previous day and explained President Xi Jinping's religious policies and their fundamental guidelines. Recently, the 11th National Congress of Islam was held in China, through which Chairman Yang Mingpa was re-elected.

Islam, along with Buddhism, Taoism, Protestantism, and Catholicism, is one of the five officially recognized religions in China. The China Islamic Association is regarded as the highest Islamic organization within China. At the meeting, Chairman Wang stated, "We must faithfully implement the decisions of the Party and government, unite the Islamic community with the Party, and contribute to the realization of building a modern socialist power," adding, "Please also support the Chinese Dream of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

He also repeatedly emphasized the political direction of the association. He explained, "China's Islamic Association must always uphold the correct political direction," and "There must be no ambiguity in following the Party's leadership and stance." Furthermore, he urged, "Promote the Sinicization of Islam and lead the core socialist values," adding, "Through various undertakings such as the interpretation of scriptures, we must enhance understanding and sympathy for Chinese culture, the Communist Party, and socialism with Chinese characteristics."

Muslims are at the center of controversies regarding human rights abuses in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The Chinese government strongly denies the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights' allegations of detention and abuse of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, stating that the facilities identified as detention centers are vocational education and training centers (VETCs) established to combat terrorism and extremism.

Meanwhile, Wang Yang, who previously served as Party Secretary of Chongqing and Guangdong Province and as Vice Premier of the State Council in charge of industry, is considered a strong candidate to succeed Premier Li Keqiang. Notably, born in 1955 and currently 67 years old, his age is close to that of President Xi, born in 1953, which increases his chances of being selected as a successor despite the difficulty of being considered due to age similarity.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.