China removes foreign minister after unexplained absence
China has removed Qin Gang as foreign minister less than seven months after he was appointed to the post.
Qin Gang had been seen as a close associate of President Xi Jinping. He is replaced by veteran Communist Party foreign affairs chief Wang Yi.
Qin’s prolonged disappearance from public view – and official silence over it – has fuelled furious speculation.The 57-year-old’s last known public engagements were on 25 June. No reason was given for his removal. He had been appointed by China’s leader to his post last December. Just over a month ago, he met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing as the two sides sought to restore diplomatic contacts at the highest level.
His departure ends weeks of confusion, but leaves many questions unanswered. “China’s top legislature voted to appoint Wang Yi as foreign minister,” state news agency Xinhua said. “Qin Gang was removed from the post of foreign minister.”
The report said President Xi had signed the decree authorising the move. Legislators also voted to replace China’s outgoing Central Bank chief Yi Gang – who has reached retirement age – with economist Pan Gongsheng, Xinhua added.
(BBC)