China Eastern Airlines Corp, the nation's third-largest carrier, appointed Cao Jianxiong as president of the company, replacing Luo Chaogeng.

Cao, 47, took up the job on October 13, Shanghai-based China Eastern said in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange.

Wan Mingwu also ceased to be the airline's vice president.

China Eastern has changed its president every two years for at least the last six years.

Cao, an executive director at China Eastern, has been vice president of the airline's parent company since October 2002.