- China Replaces Foreign Minister Qin Gang with Wang Yi
- Dismissal of Qin Gang Fuels Speculations and Rumors
- Rapid Rise and Abrupt Removal of Foreign Minister Qin Gang
China removed Qin Gang from his position as foreign minister less than seven months after his appointment.
Former foreign minister and current head of the Communist Party’s foreign affairs bureau, Wang Yi, will assume the position.
Mr. Qin’s protracted absence from public view, coupled with official silence on the matter, has fueled furious rumors.
The 57-year-old’s last known public appearance occurred on June 25. There was no explanation for his dismissal.
Mr. Qin was viewed as a reliable adviser to Chinese President Xi Jinping when he was appointed to his position in December 2013.
“China’s top legislature voted to appoint Wang Yi as foreign minister,” Xinhua reported.
Qin Gang was dismissed from his position as foreign minister.
According to the report, President Xi signed the decree authorizing the action.
Under the system of the Chinese Communist Party, foreign policy is formulated by a senior official, who then directs the foreign minister to carry it out.
When Mr. Qin vanished from his normal duties a month ago and then failed to attend a summit in Indonesia, the official explanation given was vague health issues.
However, his ministry’s silence fanned rumours of political or adulterous punishment.
Mr. Qin’s ascent to the position of foreign minister could be described as meteoric. In China’s history, he is one of the youngest individuals to hold this position.
In December 2018, he became foreign minister after less than two years as US ambassador.
Before that, he served as a foreign ministry spokesman and helped organize Mr. Xi’s international trips, allowing him to interact closely with China’s leader.
