Liu Wei has been appointed China's minister of transport, replacing Li Xiaopeng, according to a decision taken by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.

The decision was announced on Friday when the NPC Standing Committee closed its latest session in Beijing.

Public information shows that Liu, 59, a native of Henan province, began his career in 1983 and joined the Communist Party of China in 1997.

He worked in Henan for more than three decades on various positions, such as the head of the provincial development and reform commission and the vice-governor.

He also held positions in the Ministry of Emergency Management, Jilin province and Beijing in the past five years.

In September this year, he became the Party chief of the Ministry of Transport.