Wu Bangguo

Wu Bangguo was born in 1941 in Anhui Province, Wu joined the Party in 1964, then went to work in Shanghai after graduating from Qinghua University with a degree in radio electronics in 1967. He rose through the ranks of Shanghai politics, became close to both Jiang Zemin and Zhu Rongji, and succeeded Jiang to become the municipality’s Party chief in 1991 at age 50. Shortly thereafter, in 1992, he was brought on to the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, a position he still holds today. He is also a Vice Premier on the State Council, ostensibly working for Zhu Rongji, but many see him as Jiang’s man on that body.

1985 - Shanghai Deputy Party Chief
1991 - Shanghai Party Secretary
1994 - Politburo Member
1995 - Vice Premier

While he enjoys Jiang's backing, it is unlikely that he will ascend to a seat on the Standing Committee in 2002.

Prediction: Politburo Member