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

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

Niu Qiang was appointed ambassador to Eritrea, replacing Li Liansheng.

Liu Xinsheng was appointed ambassador to Cyprus, replacing Li Guobang.

Wu Jianghao was appointed ambassador to Sri Lanka, replacing Yang Xiuping.

Li Chen was appointed ambassador to Bahrain, replacing Yang Weiguo.

Li Dong was appointed ambassador to Bolivia, replacing Shen Zhiliang.