Ralph Thomas has been named Jamaica's new ambassador to Washington.

The former Mona School of Business and Management senior teaching fellow replaces Stephen Vasciannie, whose three-year contract ended July 17.

Thomas is currently Jamaica's ambassador to the People's Republic of China, a post he has held since 2013.

"Ambassador Thomas served in China during an important time for Jamaica-China relations, especially in the area of economic development, and ensured the continuation and strengthening of this relationship through the development of key initiatives. This level of critical thinking and creative energy is what we expect Ambassador Thomas to bring to the relationship with the USA, one of our major international partners," Foreign Minister A.J. Nicholson said yesterday.

Asked who will be replacing Thomas in Beijing, Nicholson said that although there can be no hint or public comment as to the name of the person being considered, such an individual would have to be "someone who is acutely aware of the depth of the present and future Jamaica-China economic and developmental relationship".

Thomas, who has experience in multinational banking and trade finance, served as vice-president of the Bank of New York for 22 years.