Malaysia open consulate-general in Xi'an, China

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said it was the sixth Malaysian consulate-general in that country.

Tan Li Lung has been appointed as the consul-general in Xi'an, covering the consular districts of Gansu Province and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

"Tan's broad experience will benefit efforts to enhance people-to-people contact as well as encouraging exchanges in business and investment opportunities between the two countries," the statement said.

He began his service at the Foreign Ministry in 2003 and in 2007, assumed duties as first secretary at the Malaysian embassy in Beijing until 2011.

Tan later served as counsellor at the Malaysian High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 2011 to 2014.

The statement said the opening of the consulate-general reflected Malaysia's close bilateral relations with China and the desire to further strengthen relations with the three provinces covering all areas of cooperation such as trade, investment, tourism and education.