Yu Zhengsheng

Yu Zhengsheng (/juːdʒʌŋˈʃʌŋ/;^[1] ; born 5^{[citation needed]} April 1945) is a retired Chinese politician who served as the Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) from March 2013 to 2018. Between 2012 and 2017, Yu was the fourth-ranking member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

Prior to coming to prominence nationally, Yu served as the Party Secretary of Hubei, and Party Secretary of Shanghai, one of China's most important regional offices. Yu became a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party in November 2002.

Early life and education

Yu Zhengsheng was born in the communist revolutionary heartland of Yan'an in 1945, the son of Yu Qiwei (better known as Huang Jing), a Communist revolutionary, and Fan Jin, a frontline journalist. Yu's family was originally from Shaoxing, Zhejiang province. He graduated from Harbin Military Academy of Engineering specializing in the design of automated missiles. In December 1968 he was sent to work in Zhangjiakou, Hebei. Until the mid-1980s his career concentration was in electronic engineering. In 1984, he was asked by Deng Xiaoping's son Deng Pufang to take on a leading role in the Fund for Disabled Persons.

Political career

In 1985, Yu was sent to Shandong to become Deputy Party Secretary of Yantai in Shandong province. In 1987 he was named mayor of Yantai at age 42. In 1992, he was named party chief of Qingdao and a member of the Shandong provincial Party Standing Committee; he was known to have released his salary income, housing situation, and gifts he received on television.

He failed to secure election to the Central Committee in 1992, subsequently being sent to become Party chief in Qingdao. Qingdao was approved as a sub-provincial city in 1997. Yu served as Deputy Minister of Construction when he was recalled back to Beijing in 1997, and a year later promoted to the Minister position. He remained in that position in Zhu Rongji's cabinet from 1998 to 2001. He became a member of the powerful Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party in November 2002, while serving as the party chief of Hubei. Yu was the only Hubei party chief since economic reforms began to hold a seat on the Politburo.

Shanghai (2007–2012)

Following the 17th Party Congress, Yu became the party chief in Shanghai, replacing Xi Jinping. During his term as party chief, Shanghai experienced below-normal economic growth and a drastic increase in real estate prices; a large influx of migrants from outside the city migrated in search of work, creating tension with locals.^[2] In five urban districts of Shanghai, the population of those with outside hukou exceeded that of long-term Shanghai residents.^[3] In addition, the major fire of 15 November 2010 of a 28-storey high-rise apartment also led to some residents citing mismanagement on the part of Yu.^[4] As a result, Yu has earned a bad reputation from Shanghai residents compared to his predecessors.

Standing Committee (2012–2017)

Prior to the 18th Party Congress, Yu was seen as a leading candidate for the Politburo Standing Committee. It was customary for Shanghai party chiefs to enter the Standing Committee after the end of their terms since Jiang Zemin ascended to the Standing Committee in 1989 (the only exception was Chen Liangyu, who was ousted on corruption charges). It was said that Yu edged out Li Yuanchao for membership on the leadership council at the eleventh hour due to internal voting and consultations. Yu ranked fourth on the Standing Committee. On 11 March 2013, at the first session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Yu was elected as the CPPCC chairman.^[5] This gave him portfolio of managing Xinjiang and Tibet affairs.^[6]

Yu retired from Politburo Standing Committee after 19th Party Congress in October 2017 at age of 72, and stepped down as Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on 14 March 2018, being succeeded by Wang Yang.^[7]

Personal life

Yu is married to Zhang Zhikai (), the daughter of Zhang Zhenhuan. They have a son. Yu was said to be friends with former leader Deng Xiaoping and his family, including Deng Xiaoping's son Deng Pufang. After the senior Deng left politics, Yu was said to have served as his family's proxy within the Chinese government.^[8] He is known to speak without relying on script, and is often called "Lao Yu" by people familiar with him.^[9]

Brother's defection

Yu's brother, Yu Qiangsheng, defected to the United States in 1985.^[8] After defecting, Qiangsheng informed the U.S. government that Larry Wu-tai Chin, a retired CIA analyst, was actually a spy for the Chinese government.^[10]

References

1. ^ "How to Say: Chinese leaders' names". Magazine Monitor. BBC. 15 November 2012. Archived 26 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
2. ^ "zh:上海是全国的上海" (in Simplified Chinese). 人民网. 2009-08-02. Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
3. ^ "zh:上海常住人口2371万 5区流动人口数超户籍人口" (in Simplified Chinese). 新民网. 2012-12-11. Archived 8 May 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
4. ^ "zh:10万人火灾现场悼亡灵问责直指俞正声" (in zh-cn). 热点新闻网. 2010-11-22. Archived from the original on 2010-11-23. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
5. ^ "Yu Zhengsheng elected chairman of China's top political advisory body". Chinese Embassy in Iraq. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
6. ^ "「最后一刻 俞正声顶替李源潮」". 23 November 2012. Archived 10 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
7. ^ "China Focus: Wang Yang elected chairman of China's top political advisory body". Xinhua News Agency. 14 March 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
8. ^ Lim, Benjamin (19 June 2007). "China princeling emerges from defection scandal". Reuters. Archived 17 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
9. ^ "俞正声人物特写：每天都会上网看新闻". 24 December 2012. Archived 3 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
10. ^ Sheridan, Michael (4 June 2012). "Beijing elite shaken by CIA spy scandal". The Times

External links

• (in Chinese) Biography of Yu Zhengsheng at xinhuanet.com