Submitting credentials is a diplomatic activity. When the head of a country wants to appoint or recall a diplomatic representative stationed in a foreign country, he must notify the head of the country in writing. This document is called a letter of credence.

The letter of credence is a formal document sent from the head of state to the head of the receiving country when a country sends or recalls an ambassador or minister. They are divided into sending letters of credence and recalling letters of credence. The recalling letter of credence is generally submitted when the new ambassador or minister submits the sending letter of credence. Diplomatic envoys can generally perform their duties only after submitting their credentials.

Extended information

Diplomatic envoys can generally perform their duties only after submitting their credentials. Some countries stipulate that the diplomatic envoy can start performing his duties after submitting a copy of his credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The protocol order (i.e. priority) of diplomatic envoys at the same level is generally determined by the time of submission of credentials. The ceremony of submitting credentials varies from country to country, but is solemn and solemn. In our country, the ceremony for foreign ambassadors to submit their credentials is held in the Great Hall of the People.

The recall of credentials is a formal notice to recall an envoy. It is generally submitted by the successor when submitting the letter of credence, or the envoy may submit it in person to the head of the host country when his duties are terminated. China combines the sending letter of credence and the recalling letter of credence into one, that is, adding the content of recalling the outgoing envoy to the sending letter of credence.

Baidu Encyclopedia - Letter of Credence

People's Daily Online - What is Letter of Credence (Answers to Readers' Questions)