The world's largest asset manager has appointed an experienced figure in the investment and regulatory sphere to be its China head.

BlackRock, which reported first-quarter results this week, has appointed investment and regulatory veteran Tang Xiaodong to head China operations, media reports said.

The US-listed firm said Tang will oversee development and execution of the firm’s long-term business strategy in China, taking effect from July, and he will report directly to Geraldine Buckingham, head of Asia Pacific.

“China is a strategic priority for us and we remain very engaged in pursuing our long-term strategy in this key market,” BlackRock chief executive, Larry Fink, was quoted by Reuters as saying.

Most recently, Tang was chief executive of the Hong Kong unit of GF Securities Co. Before that he was CEO of Beijing-based China Asset Management Company.

Prior to that, Tang worked for the Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) from 2009 to 2014. He held various positions, including deputy director-general at the Department of International Affairs, and deputy inspector at the Department of Fund Supervision at the CSRC.

This week the firm reported that its assets under management reached $6.515 trillion at the end of March, rising from $6.317 billion a year ago, logging net flows of $64.7 billion in the quarter, rising from $56.95 billion.