Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday named two veteran diplomats as new ambassadors to Germany and Russia.

Wu Hongbo, 57, was appointed ambassador to Germany, replacing 64-year-old Ma Canrong, who served as the country's top envoy in Germany since 2002.

Wu began his diplomatic career in 1976 and was appointed assistant foreign minister in 2007. In 1990s, career diplomat Wu worked at Sino-British Joint Liaison Group which was set up to ensure the smooth transfer of government in Hong Kong in 1997.

Li Hui, 56, previously a vice foreign minister, was named ambassador to Russia, replacing Liu Guchang, who is 63 years old.

A polished Russian speaker, Li came from China's far northeast Heilongjiang province, which borders Russia, and served in China's embassy in Moscow in 1970s and 1980s. Li served as Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan between 1997 and 1999.

The appointment was in line with decisions adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2009)