(Reuters) -China will likely name Xie Guangqi as head of the monetary policy department at the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), replacing Zou Lan, who was promoted to deputy governor in February, two sources told Reuters on Friday.
Xie is currently deputy director of the PBOC’s monetary policy department, which is widely regarded as the most important division within the central bank.
The PBOC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Public information about Xie is limited. According to previous state media reports, he was born in 1977 and holds a doctorate from the school of economics at Peking University. After graduation, he joined the PBOC’s monetary policy department and has risen through the ranks over the years.
Public records show Xie has served as deputy director of the monetary policy department since at least 2018. He also serves as secretary-general of the PBOC Monetary Policy Committee.
The PBOC does not have the same degree of independence as many Western central banks. The general course of monetary and currency policy is set by the cabinet under Premier Li Qiang or by the ruling Communist Party’s 24-member Politburo helmed by President Xi Jinping.
(Reporting by Reuters staff; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
