BEIJING, Jul 1 (AP) -- China on Friday appointed Wu Aiying justice minister, putting her in charge of stemming corruption and imposing a legal framework on China's authoritarian communist system.

Wu, formerly vice justice minister, becomes the only female member of China's cabinet, replacing Zhang Fusen, who Xinhua said had reached the retirement age for cabinet ministers of 65.

The Justice Ministry has traditionally been a largely powerless body, but in recent years has worked to provide a stronger legal basis for long-standing policies, fight endemic graft, and broaden economic and social transparency.

Recent laws have codified China's policy of allowing most couples to have just one child and authorized the use of force against self-ruling Taiwan if it refuses to accept rule by the mainland.

Little is known about Wu, apart from her former posting as deputy Communist Party secretary of the important eastern province of Shandong. Members of the outlawed Falun Gong spiritual sect accused her of helping direct the province's campaign of suppression, considered one of the most brutal in the nationwide drive to wipe out the practice.

In a May 2004 meeting with a top United Nations official, Wu was cited as stressing China's efforts toward "addressing human rights protection in both criminal legislation and justice administration."

The Justice Ministry oversees China's judges and prosecutors, although the Communist Party remains the final arbiter in sensitive cases.