Ctrip.com (TCOM -1.39%) has replaced its top executive. The company announced that James Liang is to be its new chairman and CEO, replacing Min Fan. Liang will formally take over the position on March 1. Fan will stay on as vice chairman and president of the firm, and serve as chairman of its strategic investment unit Ctrip Travel Holdings.

Liang had worked at Ctrip.com, but left the company in 2006 to study for a doctorate at Stanford University, returning to the firm last year.

The succession comes shortly after the firm reported higher-than-expected revenue and profit gains in Q4 2012, its most recent reporting period.