New UN appointment welcomed

China has welcomed the appointment of Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin as the next UN Undersecretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.

The appointment was made on Thursday in New York by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, according to a statement issued by the secretary-general's office.

The statement said Liu "brings to the position more than 30 years of experience in the diplomatic service, with a strong focus on the promotion of bilateral, regional and global issues".