Hong Kong, March 13 : China on Sunday appointed a US-sanctioned general as its new defence minister, the media reported.

The country's rubber-stamp legislature unanimously confirmed the appointment of General Li Shangfu, a veteran of the People's Liberation Army's modernisation drive, CNN reported.

Experts said the appointment would be closely watched by Washington given Li's background, even though the post is viewed as largely diplomatic and ceremonial, CNN reported.

In 2018, the administration of former US President Donald Trump sanctioned Li and China's Equipment Development Department - which he was in charge of at the time - for purchasing Russian weapons, including a Su-35 combat aircraft and a S-400 surface-to-air missile system, CNN reported.