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Party names new UFW department head

Mixed reactions to Ling Jihua's appointment on eve of party's National Congress
Party names new UFW department head
Ling Jihua
Published: September 06, 2012 09:33 AM GMT
Updated: September 06, 2012 10:33 AM GMT

The Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee named Ling Jihua, 56, as new head of the United Front Work Department. A close ally of President Hu Jintao, Ling was previously director of the General Office of the Central Committee, which oversees the daily affairs of the party. His new appointment was announced on Saturday. As head of the  United Front Work Department, his remit will include overseeing religious affairs. As such, his appointment may affect the case of Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin of Shanghai. The appointment, which comes ahead of the party's National Congress next month during which China's next batch of top leaders will be announced,  met with mixed reactions from Catholics. “The impact of this personnel change is yet to be seen,” said a priest who spoke on condition of anonymity. Some Catholic bloggers and clergy think no matter who becomes the head, the party’s attitude will remain the same. Policies and decisions related to the Church are not decided by one faction of the party, they say. Related reports: ‘Open’ Church leaders take study tourMeeting raises questions over Beijing’s motives

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