China appoints new envoy to North Korea amid diplomatic 'stalemate'

The Chinese government has appointed a new ambassador to North Korea, an important and sensitive diplomatic post at the centre of efforts to get the reclusive country to end its nuclear weapons ambitions.

Beijing has appointed Li Jinjun, formerly serving as a vice-minister of the Communist Party’s international department, as its new ambassador, an announcement said yesterday.

The change was low-profile, coming to light when China’s northeastern border city of Dandong introduced Li as Beijing’s new envoy to Pyongyang in its official report about a meeting on Tuesday night between him and senior local officials.

Later, in a brief announcement last night, China’s Foreign Ministry said Li was replacing Liu Hongcai in the position.

Li is a former deputy head of the Communist Party’s International Department, which is deeply involved in contacts with North Korea’s ruling party.

The former ambassador, Liu, has gone back to working with the same department after five years as envoy to the North. 

Liu, also known as an expert on Japan, has already assumed the post of vice-minister at the party’s international department.