China names former soldier as Tibet governor

China appointed a former soldier as the new governor of restive Tibet.

Padma Choling took over as head of the administration in the Himalayan region, which two years ago saw its largest uprising against Chinese rule in decades.

The regional legislative chief was also due to step down in a transition demanded by rules on mandatory retirement.

The changes aren’t expected to affect policy toward Tibet, which is determined by China’s central government under President Hu Jintao, Tibet’s Communist Party boss from 1988 to 1992.

Tibet’s current party chief Zhang Qingli, is an ally of the president who rigidly enforced strict controls on Buddhist religious life and freedom of speech.