(Yicai Global) April 11 -- China's central government promoted Ke Ruiwen, former general manager of state telecom operator China Telecommunications, to serve as its acting president and chief executive officer yesterday.

Yang Jie, the former president of China Telecom, transferred to the same position in Beijing-based China Mobile Communications Group on March 4 to replace the 63-year old retiring Shang Bing, information on the group's website shows.

Beijing-based China Telecom, the country's biggest fixed line and third-largest mobile telecommunications operator, held the meeting with mid-level or above managers yesterday, at which it announced Ke's appointment, with his old post to remain vacant for now.

Ke, 55, who joined the firm's management team in 2012, has acted as marketing manager, director of human resources and deputy general manager and has rich experience in management and the telecom sector.

The personnel change sparked rumors China Telecom was poised to merge with another state operator, Hong Kong-based China United Network Communications Group -- known as China Unicom -- until Ke dismissed these claims.

Editor: Ben Armour