Beijing appoints Liu Xianfa as China’s special representative for Africa

The Chinese government has appointed Liu Xianfa, formerly the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macau, as China’s Special Representative on African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun announced on Friday.

Liu completed his five-year term as Commissioner in the Macau SAR on 15 January. Guo described him as “an experienced senior diplomat well-versed in African affairs,” highlighting his previous roles as Consul-General of China in Lagos, Nigeria, Ambassador to Kenya, and Assistant Foreign Minister.

Born in 1963 in Qingdao, Shandong province, Liu holds a PhD in Management Science. He has also held positions in academia and in the management of state-owned petroleum enterprises, research institutes, and national departments.

Liu began his diplomatic career as vice-consul in Los Angeles, United States, from 2011 to 2012, before serving as head of the consular section at the Chinese embassy in Lagos. From 2013 to 2018, he was China’s ambassador to Kenya and concurrently served as Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme.

In 2018, Liu was promoted to ambassadorial rank at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later became vice minister. He was appointed Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macau in February 2021.