Luo Baoming was elected governor of China's southernmost Hainan Province by the provincial legislature on Friday.

Luo, born in October 1952, was elected to the post at the fifth session of the 3rd Hainan Provincial People's Congress.

A native of Tianjin Municipality in north China, Luo holds a master's degree in history. He joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 1971.

Before becoming governor, he served as vice-governor and acting governor of Hainan.

Luo is vice secretary of the CPC Provincial Committee of Hainan and an alternate member of the 16th CPC Central Committee.

(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2007)