China has appointed a new ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Thursday.

Liu Xiaoming, 50, a career diplomat with eight years experience in the United States, replaces Wu Donghe, who served as ambassador from 2001-2006, as China's envoy to Pyongyang.

Liu studied International Relations at Tufts University in the United States and held several posts in China's embassy in Washington from 1989 to 2001 before serving as ambassador to Egypt from 2001 to 2003.

Between those overseas assignments, Liu also held America-related posts in China's Foreign Ministry from 1983 to 2001.

Liu has acted as an assistant to the governor of China's northwestern Gansu province since 2004.

President Hu Jintao issued the nomination after the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislature, has approved it.