Iran has appointed its parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, as the country’s special envoy for China-related affairs, according to a report by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency published on Sunday. The report stated that Ghalibaf will serve as a coordinator among various national institutions on matters concerning China.

The appointment was proposed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and approved by the country’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. Sources cited by Tasnim indicated that the nature of Ghalibaf’s appointment gives him a different level of authority and responsibility compared to previous representatives.

The report did not clarify whether Ghalibaf will continue to serve as the speaker of Iran’s parliament while performing his new duties as special envoy.