China’s National People’s Congress (Parliament) approved members of the country’s new government on Sunday, the final day of the body’s annual meeting in Beijing this week, international news agencies reported.

Some 3,000 delegates approved proposed names for various cabinet positions after Li Qiang was confirmed as the country’s premier on Saturday at the suggestion of President Xi Jinping, a day after Xi was unanimously re-elected to a third term. President.

Economic expert He Lifeng was appointed vice-premier for financial and economic policy to replace Liu He, who headed trade talks with the US. The other vice premiers are close political allies of President Xi Jinping.

“This close relationship could help the new government implement its policies and ensure inter-ministerial coordination,” some analysts comment.

General under US sanctions, became Minister of Defense

General Li Shangfu, who previously headed the Central Military Commission’s weapons development program, was appointed as the new defense minister. Like his predecessor Wei Feng, Li will be the sole representative of the military in the new cabinet.

In 2018, the administration of former US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Lee and his arms development department over allegations of purchasing weapons from the Russian state-owned company Rosoboronexport.

Then-US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced sanctions against China’s Equipment Development Department (EDD) and its then-director Li Shangfu for the 2017 purchase of Su-35 fighter jets and related S-400 equipment. – aviation missile complex 2018

Congress approved Wang Xiaohong as Minister of Public Security and Chen Yixing as Minister of State Security, who will lead the country’s domestic and intelligence apparatus.

The head of the National Health Commission, Ma Xiaowei, who oversaw the country’s zero-infection policy for COVID-19, remains in office.

An unexpected decision on key positions in finance and trade

In a surprise move that could be aimed at boosting confidence in the Chinese economy, Xi left key cabinet members on finance and trade.

Finance Minister Liu Kun and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao retained their posts. Yi Han will also remain central bank chief, despite being expected to step down as he has reached retirement age.

Zheng Shanjie, a close ally of Xi, was appointed chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, the country’s main economic planning body.

The government is working to revive China’s economy, which grew just 3 percent last year, one of the weakest in decades, and Premier Li will have a tough task to lay the foundations for a recovery in the world’s second-largest economy.

China has set a growth target of “around 5%” for 2023, one of the lowest in a decade, as the world’s second-largest economy has largely missed its growth target due to tight restrictions and a simmering property crisis.

Xi Jinping controls the three branches of government

The new executive branch is expected to advance guidelines such as achieving “scientific and technological self-sufficiency” in response to Washington’s veto of US chip production for Chinese companies.

Xi, general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), consolidated his power on Friday after the People’s Party nominated him for a third five-year presidential term, unprecedented among his predecessors.

He also confirmed his position as President of the Central Military Commission (CMC), equivalent to that of the Chief of the Armed Forces.

In this way, the president’s control over the three branches of government – the state, the Communist Party and the army – is consolidated. (Agerpress)