The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has appointed Ling Jihua as director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, replacing Wang Gang.

Before the nomination, Ling was deputy director of the office.

Wang is also alternate member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Ling's appointment comes ahead of the 17th National Congress of the CPC, which opens on October 15, and which is held once every five years to elect the Party's highest leadership and set major policies.

Ling, 50, will oversee the day-to-day operations of Party Central Committee in his new post. Previous directors include Wen Jiabao, who is now premier, and Zeng Qinghong, the incumbent vice-president.

Ling is a native of Pinglu County in north China's Shanxi Province. He was once deputy director of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Youth League and director of the league's publicity department.

Wang, who was born in October 1942, is a native of Fuyu County in northeast China's Jilin Province.

He had served as the director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee since March 1999.

Wang is now also a member of the 16th CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee.

(China Daily September 20, 2007)