Younger blood in China
A new president has taken over at China Southern Airlines in line with government efforts to have younger managers leading the country's main carriers.
Si Xian Min has taken over as the Guangzhou-based airline's new president, replacing Wang Chang Shun. Wang's departure was expected as the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said recently that the 62-year-old would be joining it as a vice-minister. Senior management changes have also been made in recent months at Air China and China Eastern Airlines, in line with CAAC efforts to promote younger executives to senior positions.
Si, 47, has since last year served as party secretary of China Northern Airlines, which is owned by China Southern's parent and which operates all its flights under the larger airline's code.
Before that, between 2000 and July 2003, he served as deputy party secretary of China Southern, and for part of that time served concurrently as secretary of the airline's disciplinary department.
A professional political tutor, Si graduated from the No 14 Aviation College as an aircraft piloting major with an associate's degree. Other positions held in his civil aviation career include deputy director and director of the political division of China Southern's Henan Branch, and party secretary and vice-president of Guizhou Airlines.
NICHOLAS IONIDES SINGAPORE
Source: Airline Business
