Cult-busting 610 Office gets deputy leader

Liu Jinguo, vice-minister of public security, has been appointed deputy head of the 610 Office, the central government agency responsible for combating cults and handling cult-related issues.

The 610 Office is named after the date of its creation - June 10, 1999. Liu's new position had been held by Li Dongsheng, the former vice-minister of public security, until Li was placed under investigation in December.

Li was sacked for "suspected serious disciplinary violations", according to a statement on Dec 20 from the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, using a term that usually denotes corruption. Li was expelled from the Party in early July.