Mr. Lu, who is 70, is retiring from his position as head of the enterprise that is responsible for building the Three Gorges dam, the Nov. 25 report said. He will be replaced by Li Yongan, 61, who has been deputy general manager of the TGPDC since 1993.

Li Yongan, new head of the TGPDC

China’s State Council appoints the two top officials of the TGPDC. It also appoints members of the Three Gorges Project Construction Committee, the policymaking body that oversees the scheme.

Last week, Xinhua news agency reported that the top two officials in the Office of the TGPCC were being removed from their posts. Director Guo Shuyan was replaced by Pu Haiqing, and deputy director He Wenbin was also said to have been removed.

The reshuffle at the top of the TGPCC followed a recent inspection trip to the Three Gorges area by Premier Wen Jiabao, who may be eager to remove officials in key project posts who are linked to former premier Li Peng.