The former head of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong has been appointed the No 2 official on a special committee under the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s legislature.

Zheng Yanxiong was named vice-chairman of the NPC Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee, according to a statement issued on Friday after a meeting of the NPC Standing Committee, China’s top legislative body.

The statement said that a decision was made after the endorsement of a resolution.

In January 2023, Zheng was appointed as the director of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong. He was replaced by Zhou Ji, who had served as executive deputy director of the central government’s top office for the city’s affairs, in May of this year.

The NPC directs the work of 10 special committees, which fall under the leadership of the standing committee when the country’s legislature is not in session.

Each special committee is composed of a chairman, several vice-chairmen and other members.