Finance Minister Jin Renqing was removed from his post on Thursday by China's national legislature.

Xie Xuren, 59, 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.

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

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2007)