Jiang Ally Chosen for Legislative Advisory Job

An ally of Chinese President Jiang Zemin was elected chairman of a parliamentary advisory body, a boon to the retiring leader’s campaign to retain behind-the-scenes influence.

Jia Qinglin, 63, No. 4 in the Communist Party, was elected with 93% of the vote as chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

Although the body has few powers and only advises a largely rubber-stamp parliament, Jia’s election was evidence of the ability of Jiang, whose successor Hu Jintao is to be elected president Saturday, to place allies in strategic positions, analysts said.