Categories: World

China’s former foreign minister, missing from public view since last June, resigns from national legislature

close Video

China, India, and Brazil will continue to ‘prop up’ Russia’s economy: Griff Jenkins

Fox News national correspondent Griff Jenkins discusses the White House’s decision to implement more sanctions on Russia, saying that the goal is to make ‘Putin feel pain.’

  • Qin Gang, China’s former foreign minister, resigned from the national legislature, as reported by state media on Tuesday.
  • He was dismissed as foreign minister in July last year after serving seven months.
  • His resignation as a delegate to the upcoming annual parliamentary session was accepted by the Tianjin Municipal People’s Congress.

China’s former foreign minister, Qin Gang, who has been missing from public view since last June, has resigned from the national legislature, state media reported Tuesday.

Qin was dismissed as foreign minister in July, in one of China’s biggest political surprises in years.

The 57-year-old served for only seven months before he disappeared from public view last June. The government announced a month later that he had been dismissed from his post. He has yet to reappear publicly.

CHINA OUSTS FOREIGN MINISTER WHO HAS BEEN MISSING FOR A MONTH

Qin was replaced as foreign minister by his predecessor, Wang Yi.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang is seen giving a speech as he attends a news conference on May 23, 2023, in Beijing, China. Qin, who has been missing from public view since last June, has resigned from the national legislature, state media reported on Tuesday. (Thomas Peter-Pool/Getty Images)

According to a notice by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, the Tianjin Municipal People’s Congress accepted Qin’s resignation as a delegate to the upcoming annual parliamentary session.

Official websites no longer list Qin as a member of the State Council, China’s Cabinet, but there has been no mention of whether he has been excluded from China’s ruling Communist Party.

CHINA’S FOREIGN MINISTER WILL NOT ATTEND 2-DAY SUMMIT OF ASEAN DUE TO ILLNESS, SPOKESPERSON SAYS

His disappearance came during a series of dismissals at the top echelons of the party that included former Defense Minister Li Shangfu and other top military officials.

Signs of overt political friction are extremely rare in China, especially since President Xi Jinping tightened his control over the country’s politics, partly through an anti-corruption drive that purged scores of his presumed rivals.

Qin’s and Li’s ousters are believed to be part of a broader effort to reduce security vulnerabilities amid China’s increasing competition with the United States and its allies.

The National People’s Congress, China’s rubber-stamp parliament, is to convene its annual session in early March and is expected to focus on the country’s ailing economy.

CHINESE DEFENSE MINISTER NOT PUBLICLY SEEN FOR AT LEAST 2 WEEKS: REPORT

China’s economy expanded by 5.2% last year but is forecast to slow sharply this year, bogged down by a property crisis, high youth unemployment and massive local government debt.

The Wall Street Journal reported in September, citing people familiar with a briefing, that Qin was ousted over an extramarital affair he had during a previous posting as ambassador to the U.S. An investigation was focused on whether his conduct had compromised China’s national security, according to the Journal.

Share

Recent Posts

Israel confirms death of missing Abu Dhabi rabbi: ‘Abhorrent act of antisemitic terrorism’

close Video Israeli PM Netanyahu pushes back on ICC charges Fox News senior foreign affairs…

58 minutes ago

Free email services are costing you more than you think

These days, data breaches and privacy concerns are rampant, so choosing the right email service…

1 hour ago

Feds mum on how Laken Riley’s killer got one-way plane ticket from migrant shelter ground zero

close Video Tom Homan wants all gov officials to listen to Laken Riley tapes: 'Shame…

3 hours ago

JonBenét Ramsey’s father ‘cautiously optimistic’ about finding his daughter’s killer: filmmaker

close Video John Ramsey announces plan to find daughter JonBenét’s killer FIRST ON FOX: JonBenet…

3 hours ago

Idaho woman, 18, arrested after dead infant found in Safe Haven Baby Box at a hospital

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for November 23 Fox News Flash top headlines…

3 hours ago

Senate GOP motivated to rapidly confirm Trump nominations ahead of party trifecta in Washington

Senate Republicans have taken President-elect Donald Trump's cue and are prepping to fast-track his Cabinet…

4 hours ago