China sacks foreign minister after mysterious disappearance

China Appoints New ⁤Foreign Minister

China ‌has named veteran ⁣diplomat Wang Yi⁣ as its new foreign minister, replacing‍ former‍ rising star Qin Gang ⁤after a mysterious one-month absence from duties.

Absence Raises Speculation

Qin, a former aide to President Xi Jinping⁣ and envoy⁣ to the United States, took ⁣over the ministry ‌in December but has not been⁤ seen in public since⁣ June ⁣25. The ministry cited health reasons for⁤ his absence,⁣ but the lack of details has sparked speculation and drawn attention to the secrecy surrounding China’s Communist‌ leadership.

Wang Yi:⁣ A Familiar Face

Qin’s successor, Wang Yi, previously held the post from 2013-2022. He has filled in for Qin during ‌his absence and represented China at a national ⁢security advisers’ ⁣meeting of BRICS countries in South Africa.

Unexplained Absences

This ⁤is not​ the first time officials in⁢ China have disappeared without explanation. Last year, Industry Minister Xiao Yaqing ‍vanished​ from public view for nearly a month before it ⁢was revealed‍ he was being investigated for corruption.

China’s Rational Choice

Qin⁤ was one of China’s youngest foreign ministers, known for his close relationship with President Xi. Wang’s appointment‍ as the new foreign ⁢minister is seen as a rational choice to convey stability ⁢and credibility as China seeks to re-engage ⁣with the world.

Uncertain Future⁣ for Qin

It ⁤remains unclear what Qin’s political future holds, including whether he will⁣ still hold his role as a state councillor. ​His removal without explanation has left rumors and speculation about his disappearance, highlighting the opacity of the Chinese political system.

(Reporting ‌by Yew Lun Tian, Laurie Chen and Martin Quin Pollard; Editing by John Geddie, Nick Macfie, Andrew Cawthorne and Bernadette Baum)