New health minister takes post

Chen Zhu became China's new minister of health on Friday, taking the helm during a time when the nation is mulling over medical reform to revamp its botched medical system.

The National People's Congress Standing Committee formally approved his nomination by the State Council, making the 54-year-old Jiangsu native the second non-Communist Party member to be given such a key appointment since 1972.

The first - Wan Gang, a senior leader of the Zhigong Party - was made science and technology minister in April.