China appoints senior officials

The State Council, China's Cabinet, has appointed and removed some senior government officials.

Nur Bekri was named deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission and head of the National Energy Administration, replacing Wu Xinxiong, the council announced on Thursday.

Huang Yuzhi was appointed deputy director of the State Administration of Work Safety and director of the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety, replacing Wang Dexue who was also relieved of his position as director of the National Workplace Emergency Management Center. The post was appointed to Sun Huashan.

Jiang Jianguo was named director of the State Council Information Office, replacing Cai Mingzhao. Cai was appointed president of Xinhua News Agency, replacing Li Congjun. Jiang was also relieved of his position as deputy head of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.

The State Council also appointed Wang Jianjun as head of the China National Committee on Aging. Wang replaces Zou Ming. The Ministry of Civil Affairs has taken Zou as vice minister, replacing Jiang Li.

Liu Cigui was relieved of his position as director of the State Oceanic Administration and political commissar of China Coast Guard. He was appointed deputy and acting governor of the southernmost island province of Hainan earlier this month.

Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Kunsheng was removed from office, as he is now under investigation for "suspected disciplinary violation," the ministry announced earlier this month.

Sun Hongzhi, vice minister of the State Administration for Industry & Commerce, who has been put under investigation, has also been removed from his post.