China names new ambassador to Seoul

China’s Foreign Ministry has tapped Qiu Guohong, director general for external security affairs, as its next ambassador to South Korea, officials here said.

Qiu, a Japan expert, is expected to succeed Zhang Xinsen in February. The incumbent has served in Seoul since March 2010 and held a farewell ceremony Thursday.

Since entering the foreign affairs service in 1981, Qiu worked in Tokyo and Osaka for about 15 years and was deputy director general for Asian affairs from 2006-08. After a stint as China’s ambassador to Nepal, he is currently in charge of nontraditional security affairs such as counter-terrorism, cyber security and piracy. 

(heeshin@heraldcorp.com)