The only son of China's former president Hu Jintao has been offered a promotion to a post equivalent in rank to a Cabinet vice-minister, as part of a programme to groom young cadres, two sources with ties to the leadership told The Straits Times.

It was unclear if Mr Hu Haifeng would accept the proposal which would initially elevate him to acting mayor of the north-eastern port city of Dalian, in Liaoning province. He could not be reached for comment.