From AFP:
Rising political star Xi Jinping has been named by China’s ruling Communist Party to manage Hong Kong and Macau affairs, state press said Saturday.
Xi was named to the party’s powerful nine-member Politburo Standing Committee at a key five-yearly meeting last month and is seen as the main candidate to take over for President Hu Jintao when he retires in 2012.
“I’m very happy to announce that Politburo Standing Committee member comrade Xi Jinping will head up the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs,” China News Service quoted Chen Zuoer, vice head of the group, as saying.
“He is now in charge of Hong Kong and Macau affairs.” [Full Text]