William R. Kenan Professor of Government Cheng Li was interviewed by Dow Jones Newswire reporter Lingling Wei for a profile of Zhou Xiaochuan titled "China's Zhou, A Western-Style Voice Heard In Washington."
Zhou, noted for market reforms instituted during his tenure as head of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, was the subject of some doubt when he was appointed to head the central bank. Li stated that "He (Zhou) got the lowest vote among the 29 ministers" vying for confirmation at the 10th National People's Congress in the spring of 2003. Noting that Zhou's efforts to establish order and discipline in China's banking industry have since won him praise, Li continued "Now things have changed," Li believes that Zhou could be a "contender" for a seat on the Politburo of the Communist Party the next time members are selected.
