China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who has been missing from the public eye for a few weeks, was replaced. Gang, who took over the role seven months ago, has been replaced by his predecessor Wang Yi.
No reason has been given for Gang's removal. There's been speculation both in China and abroad over Gang's unexplained disappearance from public view for the past month. As to why Gang was abruptly ousted remains a mystery. Before being appointed foreign minister, he had served as China's ambassador to the US.
As ambassador, he had gained a reputation as a tough-talking "wolf-warrior" diplomat, BBC reported. Before that, Gang was a spokesman for the foreign ministry. At the time he worked closely with President Xi Jinping and helped the leader organise his overseas trips.
Gang's fall from grace was unexpected as his rise to become foreign minister was meteoric. He was reportedly one of the best-known faces of the Chinese government. The 57-year-old had met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing just about a month ago as the two sides sought to ease tensions at the highest level.
Gang failed to attend a summit in Indonesia and had briefly disappeared from his normal duties a month ago. At the time, a brief official explanation of ill health was given.
One theory surrounding Gang being replaced is that hardliners might have been opposed to US and China starting to thaw tensions between the two nations.
Another reason could be Gang was rumoured to have had an affair with a prominent television anchor when he was serving as ambassador in the US. That, coupled with an inexplicable disappearance could be why he was removed from office. In the coming months, Xi Jinping would need someone with continuity and predictability, as he gears up for several international meetings.
Gang is also said to have missed meetings with Finance Secretary Janet Yellen and with climate envoy John Kerry.
Gang, on July 4, was scheduled to meet European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. But, EU officials announced that China cancelled the talks without explanation with only a few days’ warning, an Al Jazeera report reads.
Gang was said to be Jinping's protege and the former's abrupt departure is sure to reflect badly on the leader. Further information regarding Gang's removal is not likely to be revealed given the Chinese political system is notoriously opaque.
