Liu Fang, the first ever female chief of ICAO, is from Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. [Photo/english.jschina.com.cn]

A Suzhou native was recently elected the new secretary general of the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization, becoming the first Chinese and first woman to hold the post in the history of ICAO.

Liu Fang, an expert in law and aviation industry, beat three competitors from United Arab Emirates, Australia and India in just one round of votes. She was nominated by the Chinese government.

Liu said her election reflects China’s growing national strength and international influence and her new team will work with more efficiency and transparency to help ICAO tackle current and future challenges.

"I can’t achieve so much without the support of my country, my parents, my family and my friends. Suzhou is always my hometown" Liu said.