BEIJING - The State Council, or China's Cabinet, on Tuesday announced a number of new appointments of officials in government departments and organizations.

Zhai Qing was appointed deputy minister of environmental protection; Mei Kebao was appointed deputy director of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine; and Zhang Junkuo and Zhang Laiming were appointed deputy directors of the Development Research Center of the State Council.

Niu Zhijun was appointed deputy head of the China Earthquake Administration. Xu Ming was appointed deputy director of the State Administration of Grain, but allowed to enjoy benefits due to being a vice-ministerial level official.

Yang Wei was appointed as President of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and six others, Shen Yan, Yao Jiannian, He Minghong, Liu Congqiang, Gao Wen and Gao Ruiping, were appointed vice-presidents of the foundation.

The State Council also announced dismissals of some officials.