Li Zhanshu, the former governor of North China's Heilongjiang Province, assumed the post of Party chief of Guizhou Province following an announcement Saturday by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Li Zhanshu [file photo]

Li, 60, took up his post by calling on local officials to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the new campaign to develop China's western provinces.

In 2009, the province ranked 26th in terms of GDP growth out of 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

Li's transfer from China's northernmost province to a southern province is part of a new change.

In November, China reshuffled Party leaders in five provinces and autonomous regions - Henan, Fujian, Liaoning and Jilin provinces and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The coastal areas of Southeastern China, the industrial base in Northeastern China and Central China were all affected.

The changes reflect a national strategy to develop the western part of the country. This year is the 10th anniver-sary of China's Go West campaign that seeks to narrow the gap between the comparatively backward western hinterlands and rich coastal east.