Beijing: Outgoing Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui, who played a crucial role in normalising ties between India and China following the Doklam standoff in 2017, has been elevated as vice minister of foreign affairs.
Announcing Luo's appointment as the vice foreign minister, China's State Council or the Central Cabinet said Kong Xuanyou, who is the vice foreign minister, has been posted as the ambassador to Japan.
Meanwhile, speculation is rife here that China plans to appoint veteran diplomat Sun Weidong as the next ambassador to India.
Sun who specialised in China and South Asia-related issues for a long time, served as the ambassador to Pakistan till recently. He is currently the director general of planning department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The Indian ambassador to China, Vikram Misri hosted a lunch for Sun and his team at his residence on May 24. The official announcement about his appointment is expected shortly.
Luo's predecessor Le Yucheng was also made vice minister of foreign affairs. Luo is due to return on transfer.
Luo, who started his stint in India in 2016, played a crucial role in normalising ties between the two countries following the Doklam standoff, the most serious military face-off in decades between the
two countries.