Beijing: China's parliament on Saturday approved Wang Yi, a former ambassador to Japan and currently in charge of Taiwan affairs, to be the country's new foreign minister.
Wang replaces Yang Jiechi, who has served since 2007. The National People's Congress (NPC) also approved Yang to become a member of the State Council, Wang Shengjun, NPC vice chairman, announced.
The changes are part of a broad revamp of personnel as China concludes a once-a-decade leadership transition that saw Communist party chief Xi Jinping elected president on Thursday.
The change at the top of the foreign ministry comes at a time of heightened tensions with Japan over uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, claimed by both countries.
Wang, 59, served as ambassador to Japan from 2004 to 2007 and was also a diplomat in China's embassy in Tokyo from 1989 to 1994. He reportedly speaks Japanese.
He has been in charge of Taiwan affairs on the State Council since 2008.
Wang replaces Yang Jiechi, who has served since 2007. The National People's Congress (NPC) also approved Yang to become a member of the State Council, Wang Shengjun, NPC vice chairman, announced.
The changes are part of a broad revamp of personnel as China concludes a once-a-decade leadership transition that saw Communist party chief Xi Jinping elected president on Thursday.
Wang, 59, served as ambassador to Japan from 2004 to 2007 and was also a diplomat in China's embassy in Tokyo from 1989 to 1994. He reportedly speaks Japanese.
Advertisement
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
China Delivery Agent, 55, Dies While Resting On Bike After Working 18-Hour Days China Landlord Tries To Evict Cancer-Stricken Tenant Over Property Value Concerns Jugraj Singh Shines As Dominant India Beat China To Win 5th Asian Champions Trophy Title 3 Grams Of Explosives Per Pager: Israel's Complex Op To Hurt Hezbollah 9 Dead, 2,800 Hurt As Pagers Explode Across Lebanon, Hezbollah Blames Israel "Wear Proper Undergarments": Delta Airlines' New Memo For Flight Attendants Ministry Of Education Revises Qualifying Percentile For NEET MDS Kandahar Hijack And Its 'K Connection' - A Reporter's Diary Delhi High Court Permits Ashneer Grover, Wife To Travel To Doha And UK Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.