CHANGSHA - An official in central China's Hunan province was removed from office after public backlash against her eligibility went viral online.

Local authorities said Sunday that Liu Qiong, who previously served as deputy Party secretary of Shimen county, Changde city, had received an inappropriate promotion, and therefore, was relieved from her duties.

Liu was put to the post when she was 30, a much younger age than average county officials. Her career path was later exposed on social networking websites and some questioned that her political moving-up might be tied to the influence of her father, who had been head of the Standing Committee of Changde National People's Congress before retirement.

Hunan authorities said relevant people have been punished and Liu's father is under investigation.