President Hu Jintao announced Tuesday the appointment of new ambassadors to the Philippines and five other countries, in accordance with a decision made by the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

Li Jinjun was appointed the new ambassador to the Philippines, replacing Wu Hongbo.

Zhang Yuanyuan was appointed the new ambassador to New Zealand and the Cook Islands, replacing Chen Mingming.

Li Huaxin was appointed the new ambassador to Iraq, replacing Yang Honglin.

Zhang Xinsen was appointed the new ambassador to Ireland, replacing Sha Hailin.

Gong Jianwei was appointed the new ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, replacing Xu Zhongkai.

Zhao Yali was appointed the new ambassador to Cyprus, replacing Zhang Limin.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2005)