The Chinese Communist Party shook up its propaganda heads of major state media organisations yesterday as President Jiang Zemin called for a reinvigoration of ideological enthusiasm and party political work.
Bai Keming, a former vice-head of the Communist Party's Central Publicity Department, becomes director of the People's Daily newspaper, the Communist Party mouthpiece, replacing Shao Huaze, Xinhua said.
Tian Congming, director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television since 1998, was named president of the official news agency Xinhua following the death of Guo Chaoren on June 15 from an unspecified illness. Xu Guangchun replaces Mr Tian as director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. He was formerly also a vice-head of the Central Publicity Department.
Wang Chen becomes a deputy head of the party's Central Publicity Department, Xinhua added. He was formerly editor-in-chief of the official Guangming Daily.
Yuan Zhifa will replace him as editor-in-chief of the Guangming Daily, moving from his former position as a deputy editor-in-chief of the People's Daily.
The sweeping shuffle follows a recently launched political ideological campaign called the 'three representatives', hailed by Mr Jiang as a powerful tool to address rampant corruption in the party and government.
