The State Asset Commission has formally issued a placement notice, appointing Li Gang, former general manager of Beijing Mobile, as vice president of China Unicom (CHU).

The 49-year old had worked as general manager at Beijing Mobile for only six months before he was transferred to the headquarters of China Unicom. He was assigned to take the place of Unicom's Lu Jianguo, who is retiring.

Local media report that many staff at Beijing Mobile did not know about Li's departure until his last day. Because of his power and relationships, Li is widely considered among a handful of elite administrators in China's telecom sector.