Luo Huining was appointed top liaison official for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), replacing Wang Zhimin, according to a statement by the State Council on January 4.

Luo's appointment as director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in HKSAR took effect immediately.

Born in 1954, he served as the Communist Party of China's Secretary in Qinghai Province, northwest China, from 2013 to 2016 and in Shanxi Province, north China, from 2016 to 2019. In December 2018, he led a delegation from Shanxi to Hong Kong to promote business cooperation.

In a statement on January 4, HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam welcomed Luo to his new post and said she was impressed by his concern for Hong Kong during their talks in 2018.

Lam said she firmly believes under his leadership the Liaison Office will continue to work with the HKSAR Government for the city's prosperity and stability and facilitate Hong Kong's integration into national development.