Zhai Jun
Senior diplomat Zhai Jun has been appointed China's new special envoy on Middle East affairs, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang announced on September 2.
Zhai joined the Foreign Ministry in 1975 and was the ambassador to Libya from 1997 to 2000, assistant foreign minister from 2006 to 2009, and vice foreign minister from 2009 to 2014. For the past five years, he had been serving as ambassador to France and Monaco until his recent appointment.
At a daily press briefing, Geng said Zhai is an experienced diplomat who has been deeply engaged in Middle East affairs. "After taking office, he will establish close cooperative relations with relevant parties, actively promote peace and facilitate talks, and play a positive and constructive role in promoting the proper settlement of regional hotspot issues and regional peace and stability," Geng said.