Beijing has appointed former ambassador Cui Jianchun as the nation’s top diplomat in Hong Kong, filling a post that has been vacant since last July.
His appointment as commissioner of China’s foreign affairs ministry in the city was announced by the Xinhua News Agency on Wednesday.
The position had been left vacant for months after Liu Guangyuan was transferred to Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong to serve as deputy director.
Deputy Commissioner Li Yongsheng had temporarily taken on the top role since last September, attending an event held by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong on Monday as acting commissioner.
Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday welcomed Cui’s appointment.
“As a veteran diplomat, Mr Cui Jianchun has significant experience in overseas assignments,” he said. “[I] firmly believe that under Mr Cui’s leadership, the [commissioner’s office] will continue to work closely with the [Hong Kong] government in taking forward different areas of work.”
The chief executive also said local authorities would dovetail with the foreign ministry’s strategies to “tell good stories” about Hong Kong overseas and promote the “one country, two systems” governing principle.
Cui was China’s ambassador to Nigeria until last month.
Beijing’s top man in Hong Kong to brief officials, lawmakers on ‘two sessions’
Beijing’s top man in Hong Kong to brief officials, lawmakers on ‘two sessions’
He was ambassador to the South American country of Guyana between 2017 and 2021. He was also China’s top diplomat in Kuwait from 2012 to 2015.
Cui worked in a variety of roles in the China National Nuclear Corporation for 23 years, including as head of the state-owned enterprise’s international cooperation department, before he switched to a diplomatic career in 2011.
