BEIJING, May 19 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has appointed the following ambassadors in accordance with a decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, an official statement said on Monday.

Lu Xu has been appointed ambassador to Malawi, replacing Long Zhou.

Kong Xianhua has been appointed ambassador to the Maldives, replacing Wang Lixin.

Huang Shifang has been appointed ambassador to Mauritius, replacing Zhu Liying.

Li Zhigang has been appointed ambassador to Senegal, replacing Xiao Han.

Lu Mei has been appointed ambassador to Azerbaijan, replacing Guo Min.

Li Xinwei has been appointed ambassador to Armenia, replacing Fan Yong.

Yang Yang has been appointed ambassador to Guyana, replacing Guo Haiyan.

Sun Lei has been appointed deputy permanent representative and ambassador to the United Nations, replacing Dai Bing.