On January 4, the Chinese government announced that Luo Huining, born in October 1954, will be taking over as head of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong replacing Wang Zhimin. Wang Zhimin who was appointed to the job in November 2017, is the shortest serving Liaison office Director since 1997. Luo Huining, who is 65 years and has reached retirement age was just last week appointed Deputy Director of the NPC’s Economic Affairs Committee. For the past three years Luo Huining was Party Secretary of Shanxi Province where he is reported to have done a good job dealing with corruption and rebuilding the provincial Party apparatus. Interestingly, Luo Huining has no experience of Hongkong. His appointment sparks speculation that Carrie La HKSAR Chief executive may also be replaced.  

(Comment: The decision on the appointments has obviously been sudden.)