Xu Qifang appointed as deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office

Xu Qifang has been appointed as the executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, according to a statement released by China's State Council on Monday.

The Office disclosed in early July that Xu has filled the position left vacant by Zhou Ji, who was appointed as the director of the Hong Kong Liaison Office replacing Zheng Yanxiong in May. Xu was officially referred to as the executive deputy director in the announcement.

Prior to this role, Xu served as the Deputy Head of the Organization Department of the Chinese Communist Party. The 60-year-old Xu has spent the majority of his political career in Shaanxi prior to the year 2021.