Xia Baolong was appointed as new director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, replacing Zhang Xiaoming, according to a statement of the State Council on Thursday.

Zhang Xiaoming has been appointed as deputy director of the office taking charge of daily work.

The statement also said Luo Huining and Fu Ziying were appointed as deputy directors of the office.

Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam welcomed the position change in a statement on Thursday. She believes the office will continue to support the HKSAR government, and advance Hong Kong's overall development and its long-term prosperity and stability under the new leadership, said the statement.

Chief Executive of China's Macao SAR Ho Iat Seng also extended his congratulations shortly after the announcement. He expected close communication with the office and is ready to push forward the implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle in Macao.

Xia, 67, also serves as vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. He used to be Party chief of the Zhejiang Provincial CPC Committee.