President Hu Jintao on Thursday appointed and dismissed ambassadors to nine countries, in accordance with a decision made by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.

Zhong Jianhua is appointed as ambassador to South Africa to replace Liu Guijin.

Zhao Jun replaces Chen Yonglong as new ambassador to Israel.

Yu Wenzhe replaces Zhang Keyuan as new ambassador to Ghana.

Wu Yuanshan replaces Sun Rongmao as new ambassador to Cape Verde.

Yue Xiaoyong replaces Li Jianying as new ambassador to Qatar.

Zhang Xun replaces Li Guoxue as new ambassador to Mauritania.

Li Chengwen replaces Zhang Dong as new ambassador to Sudan.

Hong Jiuyin replaces Zuo Xueliang as new ambassador to Armenia.

And Zuo Xueliang replaces Li Huilai as new ambassador to Tajikistan.

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2007)