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Fog around Qin Gang’s exit signals China’s Communist Party yet to decide fate: analysts
- Lack of official information on Qin’s whereabouts and the reason for his removal as foreign minister have raised speculation
- ‘Soft landing’ indicates wish to avoid embarrassing top leadership and keep foreign policy stable ahead of busy season for diplomacy, analysts say
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Vanessa Caiin Shanghai
The vague messaging around China’s abrupt dismissal of Qin Gang suggests Beijing might not yet have decided on the future of the former foreign minister, analysts said.
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The “soft landing” for Qin also indicates a wish to avoid embarrassing the Communist Party leadership, and to minimise foreign policy disruptions, they said.
Qin’s removal from his position as foreign minister was announced by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s top legislative body, as it met for a special session on Tuesday.
It came after Qin had not appeared in public for a month but no reason was given for the decision – unspecified health issues was the only explanation offered for his absence.
His other roles as member of the State Council – China’s cabinet – and of the party’s top policymaking Central Committee were left unchanged.
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Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang ousted after month-long absence
Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang ousted after month-long absence
However, the lack of official information regarding Qin’s whereabouts has raised speculation about the reason for his removal, ranging from private issues to serious political wrongdoing.
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