United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday appointed Li Junhua of China as the next under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs. 

Li, who is currently ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of China to Italy and San Marino, will succeed Liu Zhenmin of China, to whom Guterres expressed gratitude for his commitment and dedicated service to the world body, according to a statement issued by the secretary-general's office.

Born in 1962, Li began his career at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1985, and has served in various capacities, including as ambassador to Myanmar and as director general of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences at the ministry.

He has a master's degree in international public policy from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, the statement said.

(Cover: File photo of Li Junhua, Chinese ambassador to Italy. /Chinese Embassy in Italy)