China's top legislature today approved the nomination of Yang Jiechi, former ambassador to the US, as the country's new foreign minister.

Yang, 57, will replace Li Zhaoxing, 66, who has served as China's top diplomat since 2003.

A veteran diplomat, Yang served in the Chinese Embassy in the US for nearly 13 years over different periods in the 1980s, 1990s, and the beginning of this century.

Yang started his diplomatic career in 1975 in the Foreign Ministry and was appointed vice foreign minister in 1998.

While serving as ambassador to the US from 2001 to 2005, Yang won acclaim for his efforts to promote China-US cooperation and exchanges in fighting terrorism, boosting trade, and mediating the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

A fluent English speaker, Yang studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science from 1973 to 1975.

He is also an alternate member of the 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) also approved the nomination of Wan Gang, president of Shanghai's Tongji University, as minister of science and technology, replacing Xu Guanhua.

Other personnel changes include: Xu Shaoshi replacing Sun Wensheng as minister of land and resources, and Chen Lei replacing Wang Shucheng as minister of water resources.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2007)