The Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee announced here Thursday top managerial appointments to China Post Group (CPG) and the State Post Management Bureau (SPMB).

Liu Andong, former director of the State Post Bureau (SPB), took up the position of general manager of CPG, and Ma Junsheng, former deputy director of SPB, was appointed head of the SPMB.

SPB, traditionally both a supervisor and a player in the market, is separating its regulatory functions from its business activities. Its mail delivery services are becoming more market-oriented.

With the appointment of four deputy directors to each company, the restructuring process is now almost complete.

CPG and SPMB are expected to start operations at the end of this month.

A number of provincial Post Management Bureau agencies have been set up since September.

Profit-making postal services will be managed by the national postal corporation which competes with other companies in the postal industry, including overseas delivery firms.

(Xinhua News Agency November 18, 2006)