BEIJING - The State Council, China's cabinet, announced the appointment and removal of several senior officials Wednesday.

Zhang Xu was appointed vice minister of culture, with Ding Wei removed from the post.

Zhang Xin and Lu Lei were named deputy directors of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, while Fang Shangpu will no longer hold the same post.

Zhang Xiwu was removed from the post of deputy director of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration of the State Council.