China's Vice Minister for Public Security Meng Hongwei delivers a campaign speech at the 85th session of the general assembly of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), in Bali, Indonesia, Nov. 10, 2016. (Xinhua/Du Yu)

BALI,INDONESIA, Nov.10 (Xinhua) -- China's Vice Minister for Public Security, Meng Hongwei, was elected here on Thursday as the President of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

He is the first Chinese official to take the post.

Meng Hongwei took over the position from his predecessor Mireille Ballestrazzi from France after being elected at the closing ceremony of Interpol's 85th general assembly.

Founded in 1914, Interpol is the second largest international organization after the United Nations. The President of the organization heads its Executive Committee and is elected by the General Assembly for a period of four years. The People's Republic of China has been a member state of Interpol since 1984.

Photo taken on Nov. 10 2016 shows the scene of the 85th session of the general assembly of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), in Bali, Indonesia. (Xinhua/Du Yu)