Yang Dinghua was appointed vice-mayor of Shanghai on Thursday.

The appointment was made at the 31st session of the 12th Shanghai Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee.

The new 56-year-old female vice-mayor has served as secretary-general of the Shanghai municipal government since May 2004.

Also at Thursday's meeting, a 53-year-old vice mayor, Yang Xiaodu, vacated his post.

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2006)