(Photo: Xinhua)

New York (People's Daily) -- The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Huang Xia of the People’s Republic of China as his Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region，which is the first appointment of its kind from China (Deputy Secretary-General level).

According to the statement issued by the spokesman of UN General-Secretary, Mr. Xia will succeed Said Djinnit of Algeria, to whom the Secretary-General is deeply grateful for his dedicated service and distinguished United Nations career.

Mr. Xia brings over 30 years of diplomatic experience across the world, with experience in Africa, having served in several high-level positions. He was China’s Ambassador to Niger (2009-2012), Senegal (2012-2015) and the Republic of Congo (2015-2018).

Most recently, he has served as the Ambassador at large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. In earlier postings, he served in Chinese embassies in Gabon and France, and as Deputy Mayor of the People’s Government of Jiamusi, Helongjiang Province in China.

Born in 1962, Mr. Xia is married and has a son.