China on Thursday appointed a senior diplomat as special
representative on African affairs with initial focus on Darfur
issue.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Liu Guijin, former
ambassador to Zimbabwe and South Africa, and former head of the
Foreign Ministry's Department of African Affairs, had been
appointed to the position.
"Since the situation in Darfur has attracted world attention,
the special representative will focus on the Darfur issue in the
initial period," Jiang told a regular news conference.
This is the first time China has set up such a position. Liu is
to help enhance China-Africa relations and close contacts with
African countries and organizations, Jiang said.
(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2007)