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Govt may extend finance chief's term

The government is exploring ways to keep Finance Minister Lou Jiwei in office beyond retirement age so he can retain his top role in restructuring local government debt, said a person familiar with the talks. Options include giving Lou a position with the legislature's advisory body so that he can stay on past December when he turns 65, the retirement age for ministerial-level officials, according to the person. The government took similar action two years ago so that People's Bank of China Governor Zhou Xiaochuan, now 67, could remain in office. No decision has been made on the matter, the person said.