Chris Elder is a retired diplomat of New Zealand. * Until 1973 Chris Elder was trained as a Chinese linguist. * From 1973 to 1975 he was employed in the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing when it was opened. * From 1993 to 1997 he was ambassador in Beijing. * From 2001 to 2006 he was New Zealand's longest-serving ambassador in Jakarta. * From 2006 to August 7, 2009 he was ambassador in the Embassy of New Zealand in Moscow (Russian Federation). * In Wellington, Chris has served as the Deputy Secretary with responsibility for Asian affairs and security policy in the Asia-Pacific region. * From August 7, 2009 to 2012 he was Chargé d'affaires in Berlin. * Despite his expertise in China/New Zealand relations, Chris did not serve again in Beijing. * In 2012 he retired from the Ministry of F