China seeks to shuffle its diplomatic pack as next generation comes to the fore
- Assistant foreign minister Zhang Jun expected to take over as ambassador to UN in New York after ‘doing a good job’ at G20 summit in Osaka
- Beijing moves to restructure its top diplomatic ranks as it seeks to react to the latest challenges to its global ambitions
A senior Chinese diplomat who helped lead the country’s preparations for the recent G20 summit in Osaka has been tipped to become the next ambassador to the United Nations in New York as part of a major reshuffle of its foreign policy team.
Diplomatic sources predicted that assistant foreign minister Zhang Jun will succeed Ma Zhaoxu, who recently returned to Beijing from New York and whose promotion to deputy foreign minister was announced on Monday.
Analysts believe a spate of recent changes are part of a restructuring amid concerns about the ageing line-up of senior diplomats and a shortage of first-rate younger envoys who are capable of reacting to the many challenges to Beijing’s global ambitions.
The ministry website has updated its list of top officials, naming Ma as the top official responsible for international organisations, arms control and international economics.
Ma, 55, formerly China’s ambassador to the UN office in Geneva and ambassador to Australia, concluded an 18-month spell at the UN headquarters in New York and returned to Beijing last week.