A press freedom group Thursday criticised a ruling that bans Chinese journalists from quoting foreign news outlets without permission, a move that further tightens Beijing's control of the media. The directive from China's media regulator, the General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, also prohibits unauthorised use of information from "freelancers, NGOs or commercial organisations".

China's parliament on Saturday approved Wang Yi, a former ambassador to Japan and currently in charge of Taiwan affairs, to be the country's new foreign minister. Wang replaces Yang Jiechi, who has served since 2007. The National People's Congress (NPC) also approved Yang to become a member of the State Council, Wang Shengjun, NPC vice chairman, announced. The changes are part of a broad revamp of personnel as China concludes a once-a-decade leadership transition that saw Communist party chief Xi Jinping elected president on Thursday.

China's parliament installed bureaucrat Li Keqiang as premier Friday, putting him in charge of running the world's second-largest economy in one of the final steps of a landmark power transition. Li, who is expected to be in office for a decade, faces the challenge of steering the country towards more balanced development, with domestic consumption by a larger middle class playing a greater role.

China's parliament installed bureaucrat Li Keqiang as premier Friday, putting him in charge of running the world's second-largest economy in a final step of a landmark power transition. Li, who is expected to be in office for a decade, faces the challenge of steering the country towards more balanced development, with domestic consumption by a larger middle class playing a greater role.