Hua Chunying, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, has been promoted to chief of the ministry’s information department, according to the ministry’s latest website update.

Previously a diplomat focused on European affairs, Hua has served as a leading press official and one of the department’s deputy heads since 2012.

The department, also home to the ministry spokespersons’ office, releases information about China’s diplomatic efforts, manages media reporting on major diplomatic events, conducts public diplomacy and serves foreign media based in China.

Known as the country’s fifth foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua has won widespread praise from readers and netizens for her professional performance and personal charm.

Born in 1970 in Huaian, Jiangsu province, Hua graduated from Nanjing University and used to serve in the ministry’s department of European Affairs, the Chinese Embassy in Singapore and the country’s mission to the European Union.