Taiwan affairs chief named

A senior diplomat has been named as the mainland's top official in charge of Taiwan affairs, which analysts said will boost the peaceful development of cross-Straits ties.

Zhang Zhijun, former executive vice-foreign minister, became the minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, the office said on its website on Sunday.

His predecessor, Wang Yi, became the new foreign minister on Saturday after his nomination was approved by the National People's Congress.