Beijing ? China’s government abruptly replaced its foreign minister Friday, appointing former ambassador to the United States Yang Jiechi to the post in an early reshuffling of senior positions ahead of key political meetings.

The resignation of Li Zhaoxing as foreign minister had been widely expected, but not until much later this year when the ruling Communist Party convenes a once-every-five-year congress to reapportion top jobs.

At 66, Li already was a year past the customary retirement age for Cabinet ministers.