Misconduct fears as 89 officials given new city govt roles

BEIJING - A northern Chinese city's massive appointment of officials has left the local government in hot water as netizens and media question potential misconduct in the move.

In late January, 89 officials were appointed to new posts in various government departments - at least three of which were newly established last year - according to a statement on the website of Handan city in Hebei province.

The appointments came as the city wound up a major revamp of local government organizations at the end of last year and shed four former departments.