Cyber sector authority undergoes reshuffle

China’s top internet regulator has named a new chief amid an ongoing effort to build and develop a topnotch cyberspace network, according to an official statement released on Wednesday.

Zhuang Rongwen was appointed head of the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, replacing Xu Lin.

In April, Zhuang took over as head of the State Administration of Press and Publication. The replacement, authorized by the central leadership, was announced at a commission meeting on Tuesday.

In March, under the Communist Party of China Central Committee’s plan to deepen reforms of Party and state institutions, the Central Leading Group for Cyberspace Affairs was upgraded into the new commission to further improve the country’s virtual network construction, safeguard cybersecurity and promote internet-related development.

Zhuang, 57, a native of Fujian province, joined the Party in 1987 and began his career from his hometown.

The senior engineer previously worked for the Fujian Development and Reform Commission, the Fujian Bureau of Science and Technology and the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council.

Xu, 55, a Shanghai native, joined the Party in September 1982 and started his career in a middle school in the city a month later. Before being engaged in managing cyberspace affairs, he held various posts including chief of Shanghai’s civil affairs bureau.

He was named vice-minister of the CPC Publicity Department and head of the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission — known then as the Office of the Central Leading Group for Cyberspace Affairs — in June 2016.

Xu’s predecessor at the office, Lu Wei, was formally accused on Monday of accepting bribes. The Ningbo people’s procuratorate in Zhejiang province said the 58-year-old Lu took advantage of various posts, including as deputy head of Xinhua News Agency, to seek benefits for others and accepted a large amount of bribes. Lu was expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office in February.