Chinese President Hu Jintao has appointed eight new ambassadors to foreign countries, according to a statement from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) on Saturday.

Hu made the appointments in line with decision made by the Standing Committee of the NPC, the nation's top legislature.

Lan Lijun was appointed ambassador to Sweden, replacing Chen Mingming.

Wang Xiaolong was appointed ambassador to Mongolia, replacing Yu Hongyao.

Zhao Weiping was appointed ambassador to Samoa, replacing Ma Chongren.

Xu Feihong was appointed ambassador to Afghanistan, replacing Zheng Qingdian.

Cao Zhongming was appointed ambassador to Mali, replacing Zhang Guoqing.

Zhao Jianhua was appointed ambassador to Liberia, replacing Zhou Yuxiao.

Hu Dingxian was appointed ambassador to Lesotho, replacing Gao Deyi.

Zhang Xiao was appointed ambassador to Uzbekistan, replacing Yu Hongjun.