ITV News has appointed John Ray to be its first ever China correspondent, a move which highlights the growing importance that ITN is putting on the country.
The programme has also announced a significant reshuffle of its foreign bureau staff.
Ray said: "China is already changing all our lives. It's the big story of the century. To witness it, and to report on it for ITV News, is a huge challenge."
Ray, who was previously ITV News' UK editor and senior political correspondent, will commence his new role at the beginning of October 2006.
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ITV News' announcement comes just weeks after ITN announced that Lindsey Hilsum is to become Channel 4 News'
China correspondent. The pair will work from a shared office in Beijing.
John Irvine, who is currently ITV News' correspondent in Bangkok is to become the programmes' Washington correspondent.
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Scotland correspondent, Martin Geissler, will move to a more high profile role as Africa correspondent and Robert Moore leaves Washington for Brussels to become Europe correspondent.
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