17. As of July 17, 2023, China*** had 17 ambassadors at the vice-ministerial level, 4 ambassadors*** to permanent members of the Security Council, 2 ambassadors*** to important developed countries, 1 ambassador to North Korea, 3 ambassadors to BRICS countries, 1 ambassador to Egypt and plenipotentiary to the League of Arab States, 4 ambassadors (representatives) to important international organizations, 2 commissioners of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong 2 commissioners of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong and Macao.