A local Chinese newspaper claimed that executive vice president with Bank of China, Mr. Zhu Min may join senior level post at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Zhu also remained as top economist at the World Bank and has been working with the Chinese bank since 1996. He would be the first Chinese to occupy high level post in the Washington-based IMF.

There is no official comment, however, by the Bank of China, the country's fourth-largest lender by assets. Chinese has started to occupy top slots in world's leading financial institutions with Justin Lin; a leading Chinese academic has made entry in the World Bank last year as its chief economist.

China and other emerging countries have been pressing the top financial institute for better positions in its management according to their rising impact in the global markets. Zhu's appointment is seen as China's recognition as a leading emerging economy in the world.

The newspaper, however, is mum over exact date of joining by Zhu.