Showcasing perhaps the closeness between Chinese technology firms and the Chinese government's upper echelons, Qihoo 360 has hired a former top Chinese official as a vice president.

The Chinese Internet security company confirmed to local media that Chen Xitong, former spokesperson for the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China, has resigned his public position and will now be Qihoo 360's marketing vice president.

A representative from Qihoo 360's human resources department said that after the company launched its IPO, they experienced faster development and team growth. While focusing on staffing with information technology professionals, they also need to hire senior administrative management talents to meet the company's demands for high-speed development and management enhancement.

The representative also said that over the past few quarters, Qihoo 360 strengthened their development in branding, marketing position, technologies, and products; especially in the wireless-related sector.

A graduate from Shanghai Fudan University in 1991, Chen has been serving in the Chinese quality system for a long time, and has extensive administrative experience and strong organization and coordination capacity. The company did not answer questions about whether this appointment was a quid pro quo based on Chen's past support for Qihoo 360.