A Chinese newspaper says Chinese economist Jianhai Lin has been appointed as secretary of the International Monetary Fund.

The China Daily says the new IMF secretary will officially take office March 22nd.

Lin has worked at the fund since 1989 and has been serving as acting secretary of the secretary's department.

The report says his appointment reflects China’s growing economic clout.

Zhu Min, who is also Chinese, was appointed as a deputy managing director of the IMF last year.