Experience and leadership skills noted

Wu Hongbo, a senior Chinese diplomat with rich experience in economics and media, is widely believed to be competent to act as the new UN undersecretary-general for economic and social affairs.

Wu, who assumed his new position in the United Nations on Monday, served as ambassador to Germany from August 2009. A graduate of Beijing Foreign Studies University, Wu later studied in New Zealand. He served as chief representative of the Chinese delegation for the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group, ambassador to the Philippines and assistant foreign minister.

Wu's UN appointment was announced on May 31.