China unveils new cabinet amid function reform(4)

Wan Gang, 60, is the only non-communist in the cabinet. Wan, chairman of the China Zhigong Party's Central Committee, was also chairman of the 11th National Committee of the CPPCC. He is the first ministerial-level non-communist in the cabinet since the start of country's reform and opening up drive more than 30 years ago. One of Wan's key tasks will be to deepen the reform of the management system for science and technology and promote innovation-driven development.

Wang Zhengwei, 55, of the Hui ethnic minority group, is the youngest of the cabinet members. He was previously chairman of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region for about five years. Overseeing the implementation and improvement of the regional ethnic autonomy system will be his most important task.

Zhou Xiaochuan, 65, is the oldest member of the cabinet. He has been central bank governor for more than ten years. The efforts and effects of financial system reforms conducted during his tenure made him impressive. He was spotlighted by global media when he proposed the creation of a super-sovereign reserve currency at the beginning of the global financial crisis in early 2009.

Due to the sustained impact of the global financial crisis, fiscal policy has played an increasingly important role in stabilizing economic growth, adjusting China's economic structure, pushing forward reform and improving people's well-being.

Deepening tax reform, improving the government expenditure structure, increasing investment in people's well-being and controlling financial risks are important tasks for 62-year-old finance minister Lou Jiwei.

The Chinese government has made it the starting point and goal of all the government's work to ensure and improve public well-being. Four members who remain in office in relevant ministries are Zhou Shengxian, 63, minister of environmental protection, Jiang Weixin, 64, minister of housing and urban-rural development, Yin Weimin, 60, minister of human resources and social security and Li Liguo, 59, minister of civil affairs.

People expect them to make new breakthroughs in improving public well-being with their accumulated rich experiences and knowledge. These expectations include improving the quality of air, soil and water, enhancing housing security, improving the regulation of the real estate industry, creating more and better job opportunities and improving the social assistance system.

The ministers of education and culture also remain unchanged. Education Minister Yuan Guiren faces the tasks of promoting fairness in education, creating education innovation and cultivating creative talent. Cultural Minister Cai Wu is expected to deepen the reform of the cultural sector, promote the fast development of cultural industry and improve the public cultural service system so as to meet the growing cultural demands of the public.