In December 2013, he was appointed as the counselor of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa.

In February 2015, Hu Zhangliang was appointed as spokesperson in the Chinese South Africa in partnership with Counselor Ms. Pan Peng.

Ambassador Hu has wealth of experience in diplomacy and has worked in many English countries that have given him the advantage in the language.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said he is expecting Ambassador Hu to excel in Sierra Leone as he says they hold this embassy in high esteem because of the history between the two countries.