Ex-deputy of UK's Beijing embassy to be ambassador

Britain appointed a China hand as the new ambassador to this country to promote bilateral trade, business and relations, analysts said.

Barbara Janet Woodward has been appointed British ambassador to China, and will succeed Ambassador Sebastian Wood, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office announced on Wednesday in London.

Woodward, who is experienced in Chinese issues in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, will take up her appointment in early 2015.