Leadership of oceanic authority unveiled

BEIJING - The leadership of China's restructured State Oceanic Administration (SOA) has been unveiled by the vice-head of the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

At a meeting held on behalf the CPC Central Committee on Monday, Wang Ercheng said that Liu Cigui will serve as Party chief of the SOA, and Meng Hongwei will act as deputy Party chief, with Meng holding the concurrent post of vice-minister of public security.

The official appointment will be later performed in accordance with legal procedures, Wang said.

The SOA's restructuring was carried out by the new cabinet to implement maritime law enforcement and more efficiently safeguard the country's sovereignty over territorial waters.

Administered by the Ministry of Land and Resources, the SOA integrates functions of China Marine Surveillance, the coast guard forces of the Public Security Ministry, the fisheries law enforcement command of the Agriculture Ministry and maritime anti-smuggling police of the General Administration of Customs.