(Yicai) Sept. 24 -- Starbucks has promoted the co-chief executive officer of its China arm to CEO as the US coffee chain gradually ushers in a new generation of leaders.

Molly Liu will replace Belinda Wong, who will remain as chairperson of Starbucks China, on Sept. 30, the Seattle-based company said today.

Liu, who has also served as chief operating officer since 2021 and previously as vice president for digital innovation, will be responsible for leading Starbucks' operations in the China market and will focus on driving sustained growth in the country, Starbucks said. While Wong will focus on steering the firm's Chinese development strategy and building brand awareness.

Starbucks China added 213 stores in the second quarter, 13 percent more than a year ago, expanding into 38 new county-level markets. This brought the total number of outlets to 7,306 as of June 30, accounting for 18 percent of Starbucks’ coffee shops worldwide.

Starbucks China logged a 5 percent jump in net income in the third fiscal quarter ended June 30 from a year earlier to USD733.8 million, after deducting the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, according to its latest earnings report. And the firm's profit margin expanded by double-digits for the second straight quarter.

Editor: Kim Taylor