New Chinese ambassador to ASEAN arrives in Jakarta

JAKARTA - China's new ambassador to ASEAN, Yang Xiuping, arrived in Jakarta on Friday evening to assume her official duties.

Yang, who is the first Chinese resident ambassador to ASEAN, said she would work with friends and colleagues from all circles to forge ahead the strategic partnership between China and ASEAN.

"I am honored to assume the post of Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN," the new ambassador said at the airport, "The setting-up of diplomatic mission to ASEAN and sending resident ambassador to Jakarta are important steps to strengthen mechanized exchanges between China and ASEAN, which reflects China has attached great importance to its relationship with ASEAN."

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao announced the plan to establish Chinese Mission to ASEAN on the 14th China-ASEAN Summit which commemorated the 20th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations in November last year.

Prior to this assignment, Yang severed as ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives.