BEIJING - Liu Qibao has been appointed head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, replacing Liu Yunshan, according to an official statement Wednesday.

Liu Qibao, 59, a master of economics, was Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, a post now has been taken up by Wang Dongming, according to a decision by the CPC Central Committee.

Liu Yunshan has been elected a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.