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China’s new cabinet leaders get to work, signalling their portfolios

  • Liu Guozhong begins work on agricultural affairs while Shen Yiqin takes on employment and civil affairs roles
  • The cabinet recently took shape after China’s new premier was appointed

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China’s vice-premier Liu Guozhong has begun work on agricultural affairs and is now responsible for the nation’s food security. Photo: AFP

China’s new cabinet members have started work in their roles, indicating their areas of responsibility.

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On Thursday, Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong chaired national agriculture meetings, and State Councillor Shen Yiqin began an inspection tour for employment and civil affairs.
The cabinet took shape about two weeks ago after China’s national legislature appointed Li Qiang as the country’s new premier, as well as four vice-premiers and five state councillors, who are ranked above ministers.

The assignments, which have not been made public, were handed out during a meeting of the State Council chaired by Li last week.

Liu chaired the National Spring Agricultural Production Work Conference in Sichuan province on Thursday, according to state news agency Xinhua, signalling that he had taken over the agricultural portfolio from former vice-premier Hu Chunhua.

Liu told officials to do whatever was necessary to reach the national annual target of 580 million tonnes of grain output to maintain the country’s food security. Before the meeting, Xinhua said Liu visited crop producers in Henan, Shandong and Sichuan.

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A previous trip by Liu also suggested he took over public health responsibilities from former vice-premier Sun Chunlan.

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