Liu Yandong, Liang Guanglie, Ma Kai, Meng Jianzhu and Dai Bingguo were approved as the state councilors of China Monday afternoon at the seventh plenary meeting of the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress.

Ma Kai was approved to serve concurrently as the secretary-general of the State Council.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2008)