China has named the head of the newly established State Immigration Administration, which aims to provide better immigration administration and services as the number of foreigners working and living in China increases.

Xu Ganlu was appointed as head of the administration and vice-minister of the Ministry of Public Security, according to the ministry's website on Thursday.

Xu, 56, formerly was head of the Political and Law Commission of Henan province before his new post was announced.

He was the director of the MPS's Bureau of Exit and Entry Administration between October 1994 and June 2006 after serving as deputy head of the bureau for more than two years.

The new administration was set up as part of China's latest institutional reform plan adopted in March. It will be under the management of the MPS, which has been overseeing the country's exit and entry affairs.

As the number of foreigners working and living in China has been increasing, new demands are placed on immigration services, according to a document explaining the necessity of the new administration.

From 2000 to 2017, China's foreign population nearly doubled from 508,000 to 1 million, according to a report from the International Organization for Migration.

The administration will be responsible for coordinating and formulating immigration policies and their implementation, border control, administering foreigners' stays, management of refugees and nationality, taking the lead in dealing with foreigners who illegally enter, stay or work in China, and the repatriation of illegal immigrants.

It will also provide exit and entry services for Chinese nationals on private affairs and engage in international cooperation in the field of immigration.

Meanwhile, Sun Lijun became another new vice-minister of the MPS, according to the ministry's website. Sun, 49, will lead the office dealing with Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan affairs, as well as two other departments.

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