Zhang Yesui has assumed the office of Chinese Ambassador to the United States. The former Permanent Representative to UN succeeds veteran diplomat Zhou Wenzhong.

Arriving in Washington D.C on Monday, Zhang Yesui has become the 9th Chinese Ambassador to the U.S.

The 57-year-old Zhang graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University, and later earned his master's degree at the London School of Economics.

During his decades-long diplomatic career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Zhang served as Deputy Director of the International Affairs Department, Director of the Protocol Department, Assistant to the Foreign Minister, and Vice Foreign Minister.

Since 2008, he represented China at the United Nations in New York. Earlier this year, he presided over 21 meetings to push forward UN relief efforts in Haiti.

Analysts say Zhang's political resume has been impressive so far, and his wide-ranging experience at the United Nations prepares him quite well for his new role as China's top diplomat in the U.S..

(CCTV.com March 16, 2010)