Wang Yang was named party secretary of southern Guangdong province, the economic powerhouse and center of China’s thriving manufacturing industry, Xinhua news agency reported late Saturday.

Wang, 52, had been party secretary of Chongqing municipality, a booming industrial center in southwestern China.

Replacing Wang will be Bo Xilai, China’s commerce minister. The Xinhua report did not specify whether Bo, 58, will retain his ministerial post.

Party secretary is the most powerful provincial-level post.

Both men were elevated to the 25-member Politburo, the party’s powerful decision-making body, during a five-yearly party congress held in October.

During the congress, a number of top personnel changes were made that were seen as strengthening the grip of President Hu Jintao, now halfway through the usual 10-year presidential tenure.

Wang replaces Zhang Dejiang, 61, who also was elevated to the Politburo in October. No reason was given for the moves.

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