The recently named Chinese ambassadors to Japan and the UK arrived in Tokyo and London, respectively, on Sunday to assume their duties.

Cheng Yonghua, Chinese ambassador to Japan, told reporters at the Tokyo airport that he was glad to return to Japan after a gap of four years.

Cheng, 55, born in Jilin Province of northeast China, had worked in the Chinese embassy in Japan for 16 years. He had also served as the ambassador to Malaysia and the Republic of Korea before taking up the new assignment.

The ambassador also expressed happiness at the progress seen in the Sino-Japanese relationship over the last few years and the enhanced trust shown by both countries.

He also stressed that he would dedicate himself to further promoting Sino-Japanese ties.

Liu Xiaoming, the new ambassador to the UK, was welcomed by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband's envoy as well as by officials from the Chinese embassy in London on Sunday.

Liu said he looked forward to strengthening cooperation with the UK and further developing the Sino-UK relationship.

Liu had served as the ambassador to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for three and a half years. He was described as "the country's good friend" and "an excellent diplomat" by DPRK leader Kim Jong-il, according to China News.

The 54-year-old Liu Xiaoming, born in Guangdong province, had served in the Chinese embassies in the U.S. and Egypt before assuming his duties in London.

(China Daily March 2, 2010)