BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping has appointed seven new ambassadors, according to a statement issued by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) on Thursday.

Xi made the appointments in line with decisions made by the Standing Committee of the NPC, China's top legislature.

Zhang Yue has been appointed ambassador to Liberia, replacing Zhao Jianhua.

Zhao Jianhua has been appointed ambassador to the Philippines, replacing Ma Keqing.

Liu Xianfa has been appointed ambassador to Kenya, replacing Liu Guangyuan.

Sun Lijie has been appointed ambassador to Uzbekistan, replacing Zhang Xiao.

Ma Keqing has been appointed ambassador to the Czech Republic, replacing Yu Qingtai.

Yu Qingtai has been appointed ambassador to Finland, replacing Huang Xing.

Qiu Guohong has been appointed ambassador to the Republic of Korea, replacing Zhang Xinsen.