China elects government positions

PV• March 19, 2018 14:55

On the morning of March 19, the first session of the 13th National People's Congress of China held its 7th plenary session to elect government positions.

According to the list nominated by Premier Li Keqiang, the Conference elected Han Zheng, Sun Chunlan, Hu Chunhua and Liu He as Vice Premiers of the State Council. Wei Fenghe, Wang Yong, Wang Yi, Xiao Jie and Zhao Kezhi as State Councilors.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Photo: AP

The list of elected Ministers and Committee Chairmen in the Government apparatus includes: Xiao Jie – Secretary General of the State Council; Wang Yi – Minister of Foreign Affairs; Wei Fenghe – Minister of National Defense; He Liping – Director of the Development and Reform Commission; Chen Baosheng – Minister of Education; Wang Zhigang – Minister of Science and Technology; Miao Yu – Minister of Industry and Communications; Battelle – Director of the Nationalities Affairs Commission; Zhao Kezhi – Minister of Public Security; Chen Wenqing – Minister of Security; Huang Shuxian – Minister of Civil Affairs; Fu Zhenghua – Minister of Justice; Liu Kun – Minister of Finance; Zhang Jinan – Minister of Human Resources and Social Protection; Lu Hao – Minister of Natural Resources; Li Ganjie – Minister of Ecology and Environment; Wang Mengwei – Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Construction; Li Xiaopeng – Minister of Transport; Ngac Canh Binh – Minister of Water Resources; Han Truong Phu – Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Chung Son – Minister of Commerce; Lac Thu Cuong – Minister of Culture and Tourism; Ma Hieu Vi – Director of the National Health and Medical Commission; Ton Thieu Sinh – Minister of Veterans Affairs; Vuong Ngoc Pho – Minister of Emergency Situations; Dich Cuong – Governor of the People's Bank; Hu Trach Quan – State Auditor General.

Previously, the 1st Session of the 13th National People's Congress of China also passed the Draft Decision on the Plan for Reforming the State Council's Structure to strengthen the government apparatus to operate more effectively and professionally. It is known that since the reform and opening up, China has carried out 7 reforms of the government apparatus.

Mr. Wang Yi, born in 1955, from Beijing, has a master's degree in economics and a doctorate in international relations. Mr. Wang Yi was the previous Minister of Foreign Affairs. By being elected to the position of State Councilor (above the Minister and below the Vice Premier) and concurrently serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Wang Yi broke with China's previous tradition of assigning responsibility for foreign affairs to two people: the State Councilor and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Wang Yi was a member of the 18th and 19th Party Central Committees.

Defense Minister Wei Fenghe. Photo: Baidu

Mr. Wei Fenghe, Senior Lieutenant General, Member of the Central Military Commission, born in 1954, hometown Shandong, graduated from the National Defense University. Mr. Wei Fenghe has held positions such as Chief of Staff of the 2nd Artillery, Deputy Chief of the PLA General Staff, Commander of the 2nd Artillery. Mr. Wei Fenghe is a member of the 18th and 19th Party Central Committees.

Governor of the People's Bank Yi Gang, born in 1958, hometown Beijing. Professor, PhD in Economics, has held the positions of Deputy Head of the Office of the Central Economic and Financial Leadership Group, Deputy Governor of the People's Bank. Mr. Yi Gang is an alternate member of the 19th Party Central Committee./.