China’s first ambassador to ASEAN, Yang Xiuping, arrived in the Indonesian capital city of Jakarta on July 27 to take up her duties.

Xinhua new agency quoted Yang as saying that she will work with friends and colleagues from all circles to forge ahead the strategic partnership between China and ASEAN.

"I am honoured to assume the post of Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN, Yang said at the airport. "The setting-up of a diplomatic mission to ASEAN and the sending of a resident ambassador to Jakarta are important steps to strengthen mechanised exchanges between China and ASEAN, which reflects that China has attached great importance to its relationship with ASEAN."

Prior to this assignment, Yang severed as ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives .

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao announced the plan to establish a Chinese Mission to ASEAN at the 14th China-ASEAN Summit in November last year.-VNA