Brief introduction of Chinese vice-premiers, state councilors

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang appointed on Saturday four vice-premiers and five state councilors at the annual session of the 12th National People's Congress, the top legislature.

The following is a brief introduction of them:

Zhang Gaoli, born in November 1946, is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, vice-premier of the State Council, and deputy secretary of the State Council Leading Party Members' Group.

Zhang entered the workforce in August 1970 and joined the CPC in December 1973. He graduated from the Department of Economics at Xiamen University with a major in planning and statistics.

Zhang served as secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee from 2007 to 2012.

Liu Yandong, female, born in November 1945, is a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, vice-premier of the State Council, and a member of the Leading Party Members' Group of the State Council.

Liu entered the workforce in March 1970 and joined the CPC in July 1964. She studied political theory at the School of Administration at Jilin University, and holds the degree of Doctor of Laws.

Wang Yang, born in March 1955, is a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, vice-premier of the State Council, and a member of the Leading Party Members' Group of the State Council.

Wang entered the workforce in June 1972 and joined the CPC in August 1975. He received a university education at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, and holds the degree of Master of Engineering.

He served as secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee from 2007 to 2012.

Ma Kai, born in June 1946, is a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, vice-premier of the State Council, and a member of the Leading Party Members' Group of the State Council. He is also secretary of the Working Committee of Organs Directly Under the State Council, and president of the Chinese Academy of Governance.

Ma entered the workforce in September 1965 and joined the CPC in August 1965. He graduated from the Department of Political Economics at Renmin University of China with a major in political economics, and holds the degree of Master of Economics.

He was minister in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission from 2003 to 2008.

Yang Jing, born in December 1953, is a member of the Secretariat of the 18th CPC Central Committee, state councilor, a member of the State Council Leading Party Members' Group and concurrently secretary-general of the State Council.

Yang entered the workforce in December 1970, and joined the CPC in August 1976. He received a postgraduate education at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.

Yang served as deputy head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee from 2008 to 2012.

Chang Wanquan, born in January 1949, is a member of the 18th CPC Central Committee, a member of the CPC Central Military Commission, and a member of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China. He is also state councilor, a member of the State Council Leading Party Members' Group, and concurrently minister of national defense.

Chang joined the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in March 1968, and the CPC in November 1968.

Chang, a full general, served as director of the PLA General Armament Department from 2007 to 2012.

Yang Jiechi, born in May 1950, is a a member of the 18th CPC Central Committee, state councilor, and a member of the State Council Leading Party Members' Group.

Yang entered the workforce in September 1968, and joined the CPC in December 1971. He received education at History Department, Nanjing University, and holds the degree of Doctor of History.

He served as minister of foreign affairs from 2007 to 2013.

Guo Shengkun, born in October 1954, is a member of the 18th CPC Central Committee, state councilor, and a member of the State Council Leading Party Members' Group. He is also minister of public security and secretary of the ministry's Party committee, and the commissioner general of police.

Guo entered the workforce in August 1973, and joined the CPC in December 1974.

He served as secretary of the CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional Committee from 2007 to 2012.

Wang Yong, born in December 1955, is a member of the 18th CPC Central Committee, state councilor, and a member of the State Council Leading Party Members' Group. He has been head of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission and secretary of its CPC committee since 2010.

Wang entered the workforce in August 1969, and joined the CPC in August 1974.