Zhang Ming

Director General of African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China

Zhang Ming rose to his position through the West Asia and North Africa Department of China's Foreign Affairs Ministry, which he joined in the early 1980s. Postings at the embassies in Yemen, Oman and Israel led to a stint as Deputy Director of the Foreign Ministry's general office in 2001. He was appointed Ambassador to Kenya in 2006.

The diplomat kept a crowded calendar while in Nairobi, doling out development aid, opening a second Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University and meeting local artists. He also served as China's representative to the Nairobi-based United Nations Environment Programme and UN Habitat.

After the violence surrounding Kenya's presidential elections in December 2007, China's People's Daily newspaper opined that 'Western-style democratic theory simply isn't suited to African conditions, but rather carries with it the root of disaster.' Zhang was left to face the outrage: he made a series of donations to humanitarian organisations as a salve for inflamed emotions.

Zhang also worked to increase awareness of local issues among the growing number of Chinese visitors. In a 2009 interview with the Xinhua news agency, Zhang exhorted Chinese tourists to follow local laws and avoid purchasing ivory and products derived from endangered species.

In March, Zhang left Kenya to become Director of the Foreign Ministry's Africa department, coordinating the activities of China's embassies across the continent. As one of the highest ranking officials on Africa policy, Zhang is charged with defending China's pursuit of African resources. While climbing the ranks, he repeatedly stressed the idea that China is engaged with Africa for Africa's good, not China's. Asked about China's relationship with regimes like that in Sudan, Zhang retorted, 'Who has the right to tell us who the 'good' or 'bad' guy is anway?' Zhang's predecessor, Xu Jinghu, is now Ambassador to Morocco.