BEIJING - The Chinese government has decided to appoint ambassador Wu Hongbo as its first special representative for European affairs, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang announced Friday.

The purpose of setting up this position is to promote sound and stable development of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, and strengthen communication and pragmatic and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.

Wu is a senior diplomat familiar with European affairs. He previously served as the UN under-secretary-general, assistant foreign minister, and Chinese ambassador to Germany and the Philippines. He will assist the Foreign Ministry in coordinating Europe-related affairs, promoting high-level exchanges, participating in important exchanges and cooperation between China and Europe in various areas, as well as advancing the China-EU partnership for peace, growth, reform and civilization, Geng added.

Both China and Europe are important forces in the world. The two sides have comprehensive, multi-tiered and wide-ranging cooperation, and share an important consensus and extensive common ground in upholding multilateralism and free trade and building an open world economy, the spokesperson said.

The appointment of China's first special representative for European affairs will help the two sides enhance their communication, coordination and cooperation, deepen mutual trust, and jointly work for greater development of their relations in the new era, he said.