WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – China secured its first top management post in the International Monetary Fund yesterday, in a move aimed at recognizing Beijing’s growing clout in the global economy.
New IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde named Chinese economist Min Zhu, 58, a former deputy governor of the People’s Bank of China and a special adviser to the fund, to a newly-created deputy managing director post.
She also said White House adviser David Lipton, 57, will succeed John Lipsky as first deputy managing director. Lipsky steps down at the end of his term on Aug. 31 but will stay on as a special adviser to Lagarde until the end of November.
Lipton’s appointment continues a tradition of the No. 2 position in the IMF going to an American, while the head of the global lender has always been a European.
China and other emerging economies have vigorously pressed to end the long-standing practice, arguing that the selection of top officials should be based on qualifications, not nationality.
Both the United States and China supported Lagarde in her campaign to become the next IMF managing director. Since taking the helm of the IMF, Lagarde has vowed to give emerging market economies a greater say in the fund.
“As deputy managing director, (Zhu) will play an important role in working with me and the rest of my management team in meeting the challenges facing our global membership in the period ahead, and in strengthening the Fund’s understanding of Asia and emerging markets more generally,” Lagarde said in a statement.