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Security shake-up in store as new names tapped to run China’s police and intelligence services

Veteran provincial politician who has worked with two of President Xi Jinping’s close aides becomes police boss

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Zhao Kezhi has taken on a new role as party chief at the Ministry of Public Security. Photo: Handout

China’s intelligence agencies and its police force are in for a shake-up with the announcement of two key appointments at the top of the national security apparatus.

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Zhao Kezhi, 63, who has worked closely with two of President Xi Jinping’s trusted aides, had taken over as Communist Party secretary at the Ministry of Public Security, the ministry said on November 1 .

He was appointed Minister of Public Security on November 4.

Zhao’s predecessor, Guo Shengkun, 63, is staying on as minister for now but also takes on a new role as the party’s domestic security chief.

As the head of the Central Politics and Law Commission, Guo now oversees not only police officers but also China’s judges, prosecutors and intelligence agents.

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The announcements come about a week after Guo was promoted to the 25-member Politburo, one of the party’s innermost circles of power.

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