China's national legislature on Thursday removed Finance Minister Jin Renqing from office and appointed his replacement.

Xie Xuren, 59, former director of the State Administration of Taxation, was appointed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to replace 63-year-old Jin.

"Jin Renqing submitted a letter of resignation by himself," according to government briefing.

President Hu Jintao signed a presidential decree of approval for the replacement and made it public the same day.

Also on Thursday, the State Council appointed Jin Renqing as vice-president of Development Research Center of the State Council, Xiao Jie as director of the State Administration of Taxation replacing Xie.

Xie Xuren, born in Ningbo City, east China's Zhejiang Province in October 1947, was named as director of the State Administration of Taxation in March 2003.

Xie joined the Communist Party of China in July 1980. He started work in June 1967 at Zhenhai Machinery Factory, Ningbo City.

From September 1981 to January 1984, he studied in Zhejiang University and majored in industrial economic management.

From January 1984, Xie served as deputy county head of Yuyao County, Zhejiang Province, head and vice secretary of the county committee of the CPC of Yinxian County, Zhejiang Province.

From September 1985, he was deputy director of Zhejiang Provincial Planning and Economic Committee and director of the province's economic information center.

From May 1990, Xie worked in the Ministry of Finance as vice director of policy and program department, vice director of budget department, director of policy and program department.

From March 1995, Xie served as Assistant Minister of Ministry of Finance, vice-minister of finance and president of the Agricultural Development Bank of China and vice-director of the State Economic and Trade Commission.

In March 2003, he was appointed Director of the State Administration of Taxation.

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2007)