The following is a biographical sketch of Tang Jiaxuan, whose nomination as State Councillor was approved Monday at the First Session of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC):

Male, of Han nationality, born in January 1938, native of Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province.

Joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in November 1973; began to work in September 1960; graduated from Oriental Languages Department of Beijing University, majoring in Japanese language.

1955-1958 student in Foreign Languages Department of Fudan University, majoring in English language

1958-1962 student in Oriental Languages Department of Beijing University, majoring in Japanese language

1962-1964 staff member of Japanese division in Overseas Service Department of the Bureau of Broadcasting Undertakings

1964-1969 staff member of interpreters' team of Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1969-1970 sent for manual labor in the "May 7" cadre school of Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1970-1978 deputy division chief of Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, council member of Sino- Japanese Friendship Association

1978-1983 2nd secretary, 1st secretary of Chinese Embassy in Japan

1983-1985 deputy director of the office of the directing group for Party organization rectification in foreign affairs departments of the central authorities

1985-1988 deputy director of Asian Affairs Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1988-1991 minister-counsellor and minister of Chinese Embassy in Japan

1991-1993 assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, member of the Party committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1993-1994 Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, member of the Party committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1994-1997 Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, deputy secretary of the Party committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1997-1998 Party secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs

1998-2000 Minister of Foreign Affairs and Party secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2000- Minister of Foreign Affairs, member of the Party committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Member of the 15th, 16th CPC Central Committees.

(xinhua)