BEIJING, May 29 (INP) - The State Council, China's cabinet, appointed Luo Zhaohui as vice minister of foreign affairs to replace Kong Xuanyou, reports China Economic Net on Wednesday. Prior to the appointment, Lou has served as ambassador to Pakistan, Canada and India. Kong has been appointed as the new ambassador to Japan. As a ambassador to Pakistan, Luo Zhaohui had contributed significantly to further enhancing and deepening of the bilateral relations between Pakistan and China. He had exhibited profound commitment to consolidate the multi-faceted co-operative partnership between the two countries. He was considered a good friend of Pakistan. With his understanding of the South Asian affairs, he was instrumental in promoting Pakistan-China relations. For his services he was awarded Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam in 2007." Luo Zhaohui was born in Hubei Province of China in February, 1962. His first diplomatic post was in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in 1985. Between 2006 and 2010, he served as Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan. From 2011 to 2014, he was Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs, MFA. He was then sent to the embassy of China in Canada for 2 years, and then was appointed the ambassador to India in 2016. As Chinese envoy to India, Luo published an article titled "Strengthen Inter-connectivity Cooperation and Share BRI Opportunities” on India's leading news website Hindustan Times on May 6, 2019. He briefed readers about the results delivered in the second Belt and Road Forum, reiterated win-win cooperation as the core of BRI, and shared his expectations for India’s participation. He said, “it is noted that India was once again absent from the Forum. I believe India has the least reason to be absent.” About Kong Xuanyou, it may be mentioned here that on May 13, Pakistan Ambassador to China Masood Khalid in China conferred on the civil award of "Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam" on behalf of President Arif Alvi of Pakistan. The award was given in recognition of his contributions to the development of China-Pakistan friendship, the enhancement of China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, and the promotion of effective exchanges among senior officials.