BY LAURIE BURKITT

BEIJING—Wal-Mart Stores Inc. tapped a new China chief as it looks to regain its footing after several missteps in one of its most important growth markets.

The U.S. retail giant on Tuesday named Greg Foran president and chief executive of Wal-Mart China. He succeeds Ed Chan, who resigned in October for what the company has said were personal reasons.

Mr. Foran, 50 years old and previously an executive at Australian retailer Woolworths Ltd., joined Wal-Mart in October as senior vice president for Wal-Mart International.

Mr. Chan's resignation came at a ...