Chinese President Hu Jintao has appointed new ambassadors to France and European Union?in Beijing?on Wednesday, in accordance with resolutions adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

Kong Quan has been appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotential of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of France and received the dual position of ambassador to the Principality of Monaco, replacing his predecessor Zhao Jinjun.

Meanwhile, Song Zhe has been appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotential and Head of the Mission of the People's Republic of China to the European Union, to succeed Guan Chengyuan.

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2008)