BEIJING -- The State Council, China's cabinet, announced the appointment and removal of senior officials Friday.

Zhou Liang was appointed vice chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission and Wu Yan was appointed vice chairman of the National Council for Social Security Fund, replacing Wang Zhongmin.

Wu Shangzhi was removed from the post of deputy head of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, while Yang Shu'an will no longer perform as deputy head of General Administration of Sport.

The State Council also removed Zhang Jiang from the post of vice president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Meng Hongwei will no longer hold the posts of deputy director of the State Oceanic Administration and director of China Coast Guard.