The State Council announced Monday that it has appointed Zhou Bohua new director of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

Zhou, born in July 1948, was governor of central China's Hunan Province before assuming his new post with the central government.

Zhou was elected governor in January 2004 but resigned in September this year at the 23rd meeting of the 10th Hunan Provincial People's Congress Standing Committee, the local legislature.

Zhou replaced former Director Wang Zhongfu, aged 65, said a State Council statement.

According to China's common practice, ministerial officials retire at 65 and deputy ministerial officials, 60.

Wang served as director of the administration since March 2001.

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2006)