Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin has been appointed by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres as the next Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.

According to a statement issued by the secretary-general's office, the appointment was made on Thursday in New York.

The statement said Liu "brings to the position more than 30 years of experience in the diplomatic service, with a strong focus on the promotion of bilateral, regional and global issues".

Liu succeeds Wu Hongbo, to whom Guterres expressed his appreciation for his commitment and dedicated service, the statement said.

Born in 1955, Liu gained a Master's in law and started his diplomatic career in 1982. He has valuable experience on issues regarding Asia, international treaties and laws, boundaries and oceans.

He previously served as director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Department of Treaty and Law.

In 2006-2009, he served as deputy permanent representative and then ambassador of the Permanent Mission of China to the UN.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn