Lei Haichao has been appointed head of the National Health Commission, replacing Ma Xiaowei, according to a decision adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

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

Public information shows that Lei, 56, a native of Shandong province, started his career in July 1991 and joined the Communist Party of China in March 1996. He graduated from medical colleges in Shandong and Shanghai, and holds a doctoral degree in medicine.

He had previously assumed positions at the Beijing's disease control and prevention center and the Beijing Municipal Health Commission.

In October 2020, he became deputy head of the National Health Commission, responsible for the fields of grassroots healthcare, medical emergency response and food safety standards, risk surveillance and evaluation.

His predecessor Ma had been added to the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference earlier this month and also appointed deputy head of the Committee on Education, Science, Health and Sports with the CPPCC National Committee, according to a decision adopted by the seventh session of the Standing Committee of the 14th CPPCC National Committee.