On March 9, 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao announced the appointment of five new ambassadors to foreign countries in accordance with a decision made by the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

Liu Hongcai was appointed ambassador to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to replace Liu Xiaoming.

Liu Xiaoming replaced Fu Ying as Chinese ambassador to Britain.

Cheng Yonghua, former ambassador to the Republic of Korea, was appointed ambassador to Japan to replace Cui Tiankai.

He Yafei was appointed Chinese ambassador to the UN Office in Geneva to replace Li Baodong.

Li Baodong was appointed Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations to replace Zhang Yesui.