Deng Li takes reins as China’s ambassador to France, pledging ‘greater progress’ in ties

The veteran diplomat, who arrived in Paris on Monday, assumes the post from former envoy Lu Shaye

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Deng Li officially took up the post of China’s ambassador to France on Tuesday. Photo: China Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Published: 1:55pm, 8 Jan 2025Updated: 6:44pm, 8 Jan 2025

China has named a diplomat with experience in North African and European affairs as the ambassador to France, succeeding Lu Shaye.

Deng Li began his tenure after presenting his credentials to the French protocol chief Frederic Pied on Tuesday.

“China-France relations have a solid foundation and broad prospects. I am committed to work with the French side to contribute to the greater progress of bilateral relations,” Deng said in a statement from the Chinese embassy in France.

The appointment, in which he will also serve as ambassador to Monaco, came ahead of a visit to China by France’s new Prime Minister, Francois Bayrou, in a bid to make progress on a trade dispute over brandy exports to China.

The announcement was made by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday at an annual conference with French ambassadors. He did not disclose the date of Bayron’s trip, according to Reuters.

Deng, 60, had been the vice-foreign minister since 2021 after spending a year as assistant minister for foreign affairs. Before that, Deng was the ambassador to Turkey and department head of West Asian and North African Affairs from 2015 through 2020.