Xi Jinping ally Cai Qi to have senior role at National Security Commission

A close ally of President Xi Jinping is poised to take up a senior role at the newly created National Security Commission, several sources say.

Cai Qi has stepped down as deputy governor of Zhejiang province and will likely become deputy head of the office administering the security body, according to the sources.

The Communist Party said last year it would set up the commission to co-ordinate and oversee national security issues. The commission is run by Xi, who is also the party's general secretary.

Cai may assume the post of deputy general office director of the new internet security leading group, also headed by Xi.

Cai is viewed as an open-minded official who makes his views known to the public, according to sources who have worked with him. His social media account on the Tencent microblogging platform has more than 10 million followers. The 58-year-old has already moved to Beijing and will report to the head of the security commission's general office, Li Zhanshu .

Another source, citing an official in Zhejiang, said Cai was a close ally of the president.