China names new Tibet governor

Padma Choling, 58, an ethnic Tibetan and a 17-year veteran of the People's Liberation Army, was promoted to replace Qiangba Puncog, who stepped down earlier in the week, Xinhua news agency reported.

Qiangba Puncog -- the public face of the government crackdown on ethnic separatism in the region, which began following anti-China riots in Lhasa in March 2008 -- was named head of the regional parliament, the agency said.

"Stability is of overwhelming importance," Xinhua quoted Padma Choling as saying while accepting his new position.

"We will firmly oppose all attempts at secession, safeguard national unification and security, and maintain unity among different ethnic groups in Tibet."

Padma Choling was earlier this month named deputy secretary of Tibet's Communist Party, the second-highest post in the region.