Foreign Ministry spokeswoman assumes new position

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning has assumed the position as the director general of the Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy of the ministry, according to the ministry's website.

Mao, 52, has been serving as the 33rd spokesperson and deputy director general of the department since September 2022. Prior to being selected as the ministry's spokesperson, Mao has been engaged in diplomatic work for over 27 years, with most of her professional career been in the ministry's Department of Asian Affairs.

Mao's predecessor was Hua Chunying, who is now vice-minister of foreign affairs.

The department of press, communication and public diplomacy is responsible for releasing information on China's major diplomatic events and stating China's foreign policy. It manages press coverage on major diplomatic events, and guides China's overseas diplomatic missions on information work and provides service to permanent offices of foreign media organizations and foreign journalists in China, the ministry's website said.