New chief entered Palace Museum

China appointed a replacement for the retiring head of the Palace Museumon Tuesday, which was hit by a series of scandals last year. 

Shan Jixiang, former director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, will replace Zheng Xinmiao, the current director, a museum official told China Daily on Wednesday.

The appointment was announced by the Minister of Culture Cai Wu during a meeting at the Palace Museum on Tuesday, Chang Lingxing, a spokesperson for the museum, said.

But Chang added there has been no mention of any plans to replace or reorganize the museum's six vice-directors.

Zheng, the former director of the museum, was born in 1947, and will hit the official retirement age of 65 in October.

The reputation of the museum, also known as the Forbidden City, was tarnished by a slew of scandals last year.

A thief broke into the museum and stole nine rare items in May. In July, a museum worker damaged a rare antique porcelain dish, and the museum was reportedly trying to cover up the accident.

Zheng has served as director of the Palace Museum since September 2002.

Pan Shouyong, a professor of museum studies at Minzu University of China, said Zheng's retirement was not a surprise, because he will soon turn 65.

"Usually, the service term of a museum director is five years, but there is no limit on reappointment, so most directors hold the office until they reach the compulsory retirement age."