Stability is the key for China's new cabinet
Old guard will form backbone of State Council, but analysts say fresh faces will improve profile of nation and bolster its position on world stage
The nation's new cabinet was unveiled yesterday - a mix of veteran diplomats, senior politicians and technocratic newcomers with international exposure.
Analysts say the line-up will maintain policy stability and strengthen China's position in the world order.
Of the 25 ministers who make up the cabinet, or State Council, ceremonially elected by the National People's Congress, 15 kept the jobs they held previously.
Of these, four were born in 1949 and are only a year away from turning 65, the mandatory retirement age for ministers.
The NPC also approved four vice-premiers - Politburo Standing Committee member Zhang Gaoli and Politburo members Liu Yandong, Wang Yang and Ma Kai - as part of the new government led by President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.
Zhang, a former Shenzhen party chief, Wang, a former Guangdong party chief, and Liu, who oversaw Hong Kong affairs as a state councillor, all have a working knowledge of the special administrative region.
Besides Liu, there are two other women in the cabinet - Wu Aiying, who was kept on as justice minister, and Li Bin , who will head the new national health and family planning commission.