BEIJING, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday named a veteran diplomat as new ambassadors to Germany.

Wu Hongbo, 57, was appointed ambassador to Germany, replacing 64-year-old Ma Canrong, who served as the country's top envoy in Germany since 2002.

Wu began his diplomatic career in 1976 and was appointed assistant foreign minister in 2007. In 1990s, career diplomat Wu worked at Sino-British Joint Liaison Group which was set up to ensure the smooth transfer of government in Hong Kong in 1997.

The appointment was in line with decisions adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.