Western development leaders named

Premier Li Keqiang was named the new head of the Office of the Leading Group for Western Region Development of the State Council on Monday.

Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli was appointed as the vice-head of the office. Other office members will include a number of senior officials from across major government departments, such as Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Xu Shaoshi, head of the National Development and Reform Commission.

The office was established by the State Council in January 2000 and is responsible for designing and implementing the nation's western development strategy.