BOGOTA -- Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Monday appointed businessman Carlos Urrea as the country's new ambassador to China.

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Santos made the announcement after the resignation of the current Colombian Ambassador Guillermo Velez.

"Urrea is a great businessman, a person, I am sure, will represent us in this great nation, with great effect, and I think there is an important step in showing the importance we give to Asia and China," Santos said.

Santos said he was satisfied with the work of the outgoing Velez, saying he did a "magnificent job" in China.

The president said Colombia will also open new embassies in Indonesia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turkey.