New face becomes country's voice

By Zhang Haizhou (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-02-25 07:45

Knowing first impressions last, newly appointed Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu arrived about 20 minutes early for his first briefing.

Ma Zhaoxu

"This is my first time hosting the briefing, but I see many familiar faces and old friends among you," Ma told reporters.

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Clad in a dark-blue suit, white shirt and a blue necktie, the 46-year-old answered 11 questions on topics ranging from the Korean Peninsula situation to the auction of Chinese relics in Paris in his 27-minute debut.

Ma is the 24th Foreign Ministry spokesperson since the position was created in 1982.

Those holding the post are usually widely known because they are frequently quoted by media - usually, twice a week. And their remarks generally represent China's official position, and now do so at a time when the country is more enthusiastically engaging the world.

"I am just a student of the news service," Ma said.

But his history as a great debater endows him with the makings of a good spokesperson. Ma won a debate competition for Asian college students 22 years ago.

After graduating from Peking University with a degree in international relations, Ma joined the ministry in 1987.