In a surprising turn of events, China’s foreign minister, Qin Gang, has been removed from his position less than seven months after assuming office. Mr. Qin, known to be a close associate of President Xi Jinping, was succeeded by Wang Yi, the Communist Party’s foreign affairs chief.
Speculation surrounding Mr. Qin’s prolonged absence from public view and the official silence that followed had sparked intense curiosity and rumors. The 57-year-old’s last public engagements were noted on 25 June, with no explanation provided for his removal from the post.
His appointment as foreign minister was made by China’s leader in December of the previous year. Notably, he had recently engaged in diplomatic talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing, aiming to restore diplomatic contacts between the two nations.
The removal of Mr. Qin has put an end to weeks of confusion but has raised numerous unanswered questions. Reports indicate that President Xi authorized the move, and legislators voted to appoint Wang Yi as the new foreign minister.
Wang Yi is no stranger to the role, having held it from 2018 to 2022. Currently, he is attending a Brics national security meeting in South Africa.
The disappearance of Mr. Qin, a prominent figure in the Chinese government, garnered significant attention not only from diplomats and analysts but also from ordinary Chinese citizens. The official explanation given for his absence cited unspecified health problems, but this vague statement only fueled further speculation.
As China’s foreign policy is directed by a high-level official who instructs the foreign minister on its implementation, Mr. Wang Yi will now take charge of this crucial role.
Mr. Qin’s rise to the position of foreign minister had been swift and remarkable. He previously served as China’s ambassador to the US, earning a reputation as a tough-talking diplomat. His close involvement in organizing President Xi’s overseas trips had provided him with opportunities to work closely with the nation’s leader.
However, Mr. Qin’s sudden removal from the post remains shrouded in mystery. The Chinese government’s secrecy and opaque governance system have led to various speculations, ranging from political reasons to possible personal matters.
High-profile officials in China occasionally go off the public radar for extended periods, sometimes reemerging as subjects of criminal investigations or with no explanation at all. The Chinese internet, typically tightly censored, has witnessed discussions about Mr. Qin’s absence, indicating the public’s heightened interest in understanding the situation.
The sudden turn of events concerning one of China’s rising stars in politics has left the nation questioning the motives and implications behind Mr. Qin Gang’s removal from the post of foreign minister. With no official statement providing clarity, the curiosity surrounding this matter continues to grow within China and beyond its borders.