Ministry gets new spokesman

Zhao Lijian is the Foreign Ministry's 31st spokesperson.

He is an experienced and innovative diplomat and has worked in the ministry's Department of Asian Affairs and China's embassies in Pakistan and the United States.

He was appointed deputy director-general of the ministry's Information Department in 2019.

Zhao told reporters that he will strengthen communication and cooperation with them to tell China's story and convey its views.

Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday that Zhao, who has worked for 24 years as a diplomat, has maintained good relations with news media, and she said he will work well with Chinese and foreign reporters.

The ministry set up the spokesperson system in 1983.