He is leaving at a time when China had just celebrated its Thomas Cup victory -- the most prestigious prize in badminton. They beat Indonesia in the final after stopping home team Malaysia in the semi-final.
Asked what he would miss most, he says simply: "The blue skies, white clouds and all-year round summer".
His successor Yan Liang had spent the last one-and-a-half years in Kabul as Xinhua's correspondent.
"The experience is unforgettable," says Yan.
Apart from our cooperation under the Organisation of Asia Pacific News Agencies (OANA), Bernama and Xinhua have had a close relation. While Xinhua has its bureau in Kuala Lumpur, Bernama has a correspondent in Beijing.
Xiong Ping (left) bids farewell as he introduces his successor Yan Liang when they dropped by at Bernama today.
