Chevron has appointed Shu Xiong as president and managing director of its Bangladesh business, the US energy group said on Saturday, turning to the former head of its China unit to run one of its longest-standing partnerships in South Asia.

Xiong assumed the role on August 1, succeeding Eric M Walker, who led the unit for six years. She was previously managing director of Chevron’s China Business Unit, where she oversaw upstream operations, energy value-chain activities and joint venture partnerships.

Xiong said she aimed to deepen Chevron’s 30-year relationship with the Bangladesh government and state energy company Petrobangla. “I am committed to deepening that relationship to support the nation’s energy needs today and into the future, while benefiting our local communities through our investment in education, health and economic development programmes,” she said in a statement.

Xiong joined Chevron in 2007 and has held senior roles in strategy, trading, planning and operations. She holds an MBA from Stanford University and a BBA in finance from the University of Houston.