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Li Hui (diplomat)

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For other people named Li Hui, see Li Hui.
In this Chinese name, the family name is Li.
Li Hui
李辉
Li Hui in December 2018.
China's Special Representative on Eurasian Affairs
Incumbent
Assumed office
September 2019
Preceded byOffice established
Chinese Ambassador to Russia
In office
August 2009 – August 2019
Preceded byLiu Guchang
Succeeded byZhang Hanhui
Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan
In office
August 1997 – March 2000
Preceded byChen Di
Succeeded byYao Peisheng [zh]
Personal details
BornFebruary 1953 (age 72)[1]
Heilongjiang, China
Political partyChinese Communist Party
Children1 (daughter)
Alma materBeijing Foreign Studies University
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese李辉
Traditional Chinese李輝
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinLǐ Huī

Li Hui (Chinese: 李辉, born February 1953)[1] is a Chinese diplomat who serves as the Chinese Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs [zh] since August 2019. He previously served as the Chinese Ambassador to Russia (2009–2019) and Kazakhstan (1997–2000), and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs (2008–2009).[2]

Diplomatic career

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USSR

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After graduation from the Beijing Foreign Studies University in 1975, Li joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. From 1975 to 1981, he worked in the USSR and Europe Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and from 1981 to 1985, he worked as an Attaché, Second Secretary and Third Secretary at the Chinese Embassy in the USSR.[2]

After his return to China in 1985, he served as the Second Secretary, Deputy Head of the Department and First Secretary in the USSR and Europe Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 1991 to 1992, he as the first secretary of the Chinese Embassy in the USSR and following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, became the first secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Russia.[2]

Kazakhstan

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In 1992, he was appointed as the First Secretary and adviser at the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan. From 1995 to 1997, he held the positions of Counsellor and Deputy Director General of the Eurasian Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[3] In 1997, he was appointed as Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan and served this position till 1999.[2]

Throughout Li Hui's ambassadorship to Kazakhstan, he vigorously advocated for China-Kazakhstan border negotiations, energy collaboration, and bilateral economic and trade interactions, establishing a robust foundation for the enduring stability of China-Kazakhstan relations. To delineate certain small sections of the border more precisely, additional agreements were signed on 24 September 1997 and 4 July 1998.[4][5]

Russia

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Li Hui presented his credentials to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on 16 December 2009

From 1999 to 2003, he served as the head of the Europe and Asia Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and from 2003 to 2008, he served assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.[2]

In 2008, he was appointed as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. On 13 August 2009, he was appointed as the Chinese Ambassador to Russia by the then 11th National People's Congress, succeeding Liu Guchang. He presented his credentials to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on 16 December 2009.[6]

Li served this position till 10 August 2019 and was the longest serving Chinese Ambassador to Russia.[1][2][7] Throughout Li Hui's service as China's ambassador to Russia, the leaders of China and Russia—Chinese Presidents Hu Jintao (until 2013) and Xi Jinping (since 2013), alongside Russian Presidents Dmitry Medvedev (2008-2012) and Vladimir Putin (2012-present)—have conducted numerous high-level meetings. During 2013-2014, the parties advocated for the execution of a Sino-Russian gas supply agreement, valued at $400 billion, pertaining to the Power of Siberia gas pipeline.[8][9]

Special Representative for European Affairs

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See also: China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukrainian Crisis
Li Hui meets with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv, 17 May 2023

In August 2019, he was appointed as the Chinese Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs. In a 2020 essay for the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, he wrote that China and Russia "will, as always, show firm support for each other’s efforts to uphold one’s own sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and other core interests."[2][10]

On 26 April 2023, he was appointed as Chinese special representative for the settlement of the Russo-Ukrainian War and visited Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Poland and France to take part in the talks seeking to resolve the conflict. From 16 to 17 May 2023, Li visited Ukraine and during the visit, he met with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. The parties discussed the principles of restoring a stable and just peace based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, while Kuleba stated that Ukraine would not accept any proposals that would involve the loss of its territories or freezing of the conflict. Li also took part in the briefing of current security situation in Ukraine at the office of the President of Ukraine.[11][12][13] European officials reportedly criticized China's peace plan as an attempt at "freezing" the conflict in place and splitting the West in pushing Ukraine cease-fire,[14] though this view of China's attempt was disputed by Kuleba.[15]

Polish Deputy Minister Władysław Bartoszewski met Li Hui in March 6, 2024

In March 2024, during his journey to Russia, Ukraine, and pertinent European nations, Li Hui engaged in his second round of comprehensive discussions with the parties over the implementation of a ceasefire, the prompt conclusion of the conflict, and the advancement of a political resolution to the problem.[16] From May 3 to 9, 2024, Li Hui, the Special Representative of the Chinese Government for Eurasian Affairs, engaged in the third round of shuttle diplomacy towards the political resolution of the Ukrainian problem, visiting Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).[17] On June 5, 2024, Li Hui was invited to confer with Andrii Sybiha, the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, who visited China for meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of both nations.[18]

In August 2024, Li Hui traveled to Brazil, South Africa, and Indonesia as the Chinese government's special representative for Eurasian affairs to engage in the fourth round of shuttle diplomacy on the Ukraine issue.[19]

Personal life

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He is married and has one daughter.[2]

Awards and honors

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin awards Li with an Order of Friendship in May 2019

 Kazakhstan:

 Russia:

References

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  1. ^ a b c Xinhua (14 August 2009). "Chinese president appoints new ambassadors". People's Daily Online.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "李辉". mfa.gov.cn (in Chinese). Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  3. ^ "历任副部长及部长助理_中华人民共和国外交部". 中华人民共和国外交部 (in Chinese). 2010-03-18. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  4. ^ О ратификации Протокола между Правительством Республики Казахстан и Правительством Китайской Народной Республики о демаркации линии казахстанско-китайской государственной границы. Закон Республики Казахстан от 4 июля 2003 года, N 469. ("On the ratification of the Protocol agreed by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the demarcation of the line of the Kazakhstan-China international border. Law No. 469 of the Republic of Kazakhstan. July 4, 2003")
  5. ^ Kazakhstan MFA - Delimitation and Demarcation of State Border, archived from the original on 2020-01-22, retrieved 12 September 2018
  6. ^ "Dmitry Medvedev received letters of credence from ambassadors of foreign countries and the European Union". The Kremlin, Moscow: President of Russia. 16 December 2009. Retrieved 25 February 2010.[dead link‍]
  7. ^ Chen, Alyssa (2023-05-16). "Who is Li Hui, China's peace envoy to Ukraine and Russia?". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  8. ^ "Putin to discuss energy co-op during visit to China". China Daily Website. 2006-03-16. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  9. ^ "中俄能源合作"火车头"启动". paper.people.com.cn (in Chinese). 2014-09-02. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  10. ^ Simmons, Keir; Smith, Alexander; Austin, Henry; Welker, Kristen; Mitchell, Andrea (2023-05-01). "Why China's man for peace in Ukraine might be the 'best possible choice' for Russia". NBC News. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  11. ^ Wong, Hayley (2023-05-17). "As China's special envoy Li Hui arrives on Ukraine peace mission, observers call for cautious optimism". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  12. ^ Agence France-Presse (2023-05-18). "Ukraine tells China envoy it will not give up territory to Russia as price of peace". The Guardian. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  13. ^ "В Офісі Президента провели брифінг щодо поточної безпекової ситуації в Україні для делегації КНР на чолі зі спеціальним представником уряду Китаю". Office of the President of Ukraine (in Ukrainian). 2022-05-18. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  14. ^ Pancevski, Bojan; Mackrael, Kim (2023-05-26). "Europe Rebuffs China's Efforts to Split the West in Pushing Ukraine Cease-Fire". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  15. ^ "FM Kuleba denies China backs slicing up Ukraine in Russia's favor". news.yahoo.com/. 2023-05-28.
  16. ^ "中国政府欧亚事务特别代表李辉就乌克兰危机第二轮穿梭外交举行吹风会_中华人民共和国外交部". 中华人民共和国外交部 (in Chinese). 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  17. ^ "中国政府欧亚事务特别代表李辉就政治解决乌克兰危机开展第三轮穿梭外交_中华人民共和国外交部". 中华人民共和国外交部 (in Chinese). 2024-05-10. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  18. ^ "中国政府欧亚事务特别代表李辉应约会见乌克兰第一副外长瑟比加_中华人民共和国外交部". 中华人民共和国外交部 (in Chinese). 2024-06-06. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  19. ^ "中国政府欧亚事务特别代表李辉就乌克兰危机第四轮穿梭外交举行吹风会_中华人民共和国外交部". 中华人民共和国外交部 (in Chinese). 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  20. ^ "Спецпредставитель КНР пригласил Токаева на Олимпиаду". mir24.tv (in Russian). 2021-12-30. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  21. ^ "Вручение государственных наград Российской Федерации". Kremlin.ru (in Russian). 2019-05-23. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  22. ^ "Распоряжение Президента Российской Федерации от 08.11.2006 г. № 552-рп". Kremlin.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  23. ^ "李辉大使在接受莫斯科国立语言大学名誉博士学位和学术委员会荣誉委员称号仪式上的致辞". Embassy of the People's Republic of China to the Russian Federation (in Chinese). Archived from the original on June 15, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  24. ^ Qu, Haiqi; Li, Mingqi (2018-10-26). "俄罗斯外交学院授予中国驻俄大使李辉荣誉博士学位". People's Daily (in Chinese). Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  25. ^ "俄罗斯外交学院授予中国驻俄大使李辉荣誉博士学位-新华网". 新华网 (in Chinese). 2018-10-29. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Ambassador of China to Kazakhstan
1997–2000 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Ambassador of China to Russia
2009–2019 		Succeeded by
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