Chinese politician seen as reformer leaves post

BEIJING (AP) - A prominent Chinese politician seen as a leading reformer has left his post as Communist Party secretary in a major southern province, the party announced on Tuesday.

Mr Wang Yang was replaced as party secretary of Guangdong, which rivals Shanghai as China's most prosperous region, the official Xinhua News Agency said, citing a party announcement.

Xinhua gave no indication of Mr Wang's next job, but University of Chicago political scientist Dali Yang said he is likely to be named a vice premier when China's legislature meets in the spring.

Mr Wang, 57, is seen as a politically liberal figure. He failed to win a seat on the party's ruling seven-member Standing Committee when new leaders were installed last month but was named to the lower-ranking Politburo.