BEIJING – Once regarded as a close confidant of Chinese President Xi Jinping and seen as a rising star within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the Chinese government on Tuesday removed Qin Gang as foreign minister and appointed his predecessor Wang Yi in his place.
According to the Chinese state media, the development comes a month after Qin Gang’s last public appearance.
Chinese news service Xinhua reported, “China’s top legislature voted to appoint Wang Yi as foreign minister … as it convened a session on Tuesday.” “Qin Gang was removed from the post of foreign minister.”
State broadcaster CCTV gave no reason for Qin’s removal during the national evening news.
Adding to the mystery, Qin’s removal was approved at a meeting of the Standing Committee of China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress, which usually meets at the end of the month.