Zhang Dejiang has been appointed Party chief of Chongqing, replacing Bo Xilai, according to a decision of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee announced Thursday.

Bo will no longer serve as secretary, standing committee member or member of the CPC Chongqing municipal committee.

The decision was announced by Li Yuanchao, head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, at a meeting of officials in Chongqing on Thursday, according to a report on xinhuanet.com.

Li said the CPC Central Committee made the decision after discreet consideration and based on current circumstances and the overall situation.

Zhang delivered a speech at the meeting of Chongqing officials, according to xinhuanet.com.

Zhang, born in November 1946, is a native of Tai'an, Liaoning Province. He became a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee in 2002 and began serving as vice premier of the State Council, China's Cabinet, from 2008.

Zhang had previously served as Party chief in Jilin, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, respectively, between 1995 and 2007.

(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2012)