Few people in Hong Kong know much about Wang Guangya, but on the mainland he is widely known as a veteran diplomat and the son-in-law of Chen Yi, one of the founding fathers of the People's Republic.
Respected in the mainland foreign affairs community for his deft handling of thorny diplomatic issues, Wang, 60, was born into a working class family in Jiangsu province. He rose through the ranks to become the country's face and voice at the United Nations, thanks to smooth people skills and a good education. He was one of a small group of talented young people Beijing picked to study in Britain in the 1970s. He graduated from the London School of Economics in 1975 and while there met his future wife Chen Shanshan, who later changed her name to Cong Jun .
An accomplished diplomat herself, Cong is the youngest daughter of Chen Yi - a top Communist military leader who became China's longest serving foreign minister. Cong has been a companion on many of her husband's foreign missions and may help Wang ease into his new position.
Marriage thrust Wang into the spotlight, but the diplomat owes much of his success to an engaging personality and undoubted ability, his colleagues say.
'He is a practical man and is very capable. His interpersonal skills are excellent. Everyone finds him approachable. He blends well with colleagues and subordinates,' a foreign ministry official said.
Wang has worked three times in the Chinese mission to the United Nations since the 1970s and was the country's permanent representative to the organisation between 2003 and 2008.