The State Council announced the appointments of four senior officials Thursday.

Yao Zengke was appointed as Vice Minister of Supervision and Liu Qian as Vice Minister of Health, according to a press release.

Zhou Xisheng and Zhou Shuchun were appointed vice presidents of the Xinhua News Agency, the statement said.

Those who vacated their posts were Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council Lou Jiwei, Vice Minister of Finance Zhang Hongli, Vice Ministers of Health Wang Longde and Jiang Zuojun, Vice President of Xinhua News Agency Ma Shengrong, Vice Chairman of the National Council for Social Securities Fund Gao Xiqing, the statement said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2007)