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Qin Gang

The abrupt departure of China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang in July left the world confused and shocked. The former rising star of China’s diplomatic corps and the country’s ruling elites became the country’s shortest-serving foreign minister when he was removed from office after a month-long disappearance from public life.

Born

19 Mar 1966

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Former Foreign Minister of China

A Chinese military band conductor in action at the closing ceremony of the National People’s Congress, in Beijing on March 11. Several senior members of the military have been ensnared in the anti-corruption drive spearheaded by President Xi Jinping. Photo: AP

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China society

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China’s Communist Party

No bold moves: China’s wide anti-corruption net has officials afraid to innovate

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China’s third plenum

Third plenum concludes, Japan delegation to visit Beijing and more

China’s long-awaited third plenum communique delivered few surprises in its list of long-term economic reform objectives, with more details due next week. Of note was an apparent downgrade of the market’s role in China’s economy; also next week: Japanese lawmakers visit Beijing and the Jimmy Lai trial continues in Hong Kong.

19 Jul 2024 - 5:01PM

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of China’s Communist Party. Photo: Xinhua

China’s third plenum

China eyes bold 10-year tech and economic goals, sets plenum dates

Plan should balance ‘economy and society, government and market, efficiency and equity, vitality and order, development and security’.

1 Jul 2024 - 10:21AMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Hong Kong property curbs scrapped, Qin Gang resigns: 7 highlights of the week

From property curbs in Hong Kong being scrapped to the intensifying durian market in China, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

1 Mar 2024 - 1:57PM

China’s Communist Party

Former Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang resigns from country’s legislature

Statement from NPC Standing Committee meeting says Qin Gang was not dismissed or expelled.

27 Feb 2024 - 7:44PMvideocam

China’s former foreign minister Qin Gang, who disappeared from public view in June last year, has resigned from his deputy membership ahead of a key national meeting. Photo: AFP

Asean

Asian Angle | How Southeast Asia can benefit as China seeks out more friends

China’s relationship with Southeast Asia has gained importance in light of Western powers’ attempts to expand influence in the Asia-Pacific.

18 Aug 2023 - 2:00PMvideocam

China-Singapore relations

China’s foreign minister blasts US as ‘biggest source of instability’

A day after US announces new investment curbs, Beijing’s top diplomat accuses Washington of suppressing emerging countries and ‘coercing’ others into ‘unilateral protectionism’ during meeting with Singaporean leader.

11 Aug 2023 - 9:10PMvideocam

China-Australia relations

Exclusive | With ‘no downside’, Australia extends invite to China’s foreign minister Wang Yi

Australia’s embassy in Beijing has issued an invitation from Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong for her newly reappointed Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, to visit Canberra, according to sources close to the Australian government.

2 Aug 2023 - 5:22PMvideocam

Wang Yi replaced Qin Gang, who has not been seen in public since June, as foreign minister last week. Photo: Dpa

Diplomacy

Opinion | Stony silence over Qin Gang saga does China’s reputation no favours

If Beijing had come clean about the reasons for Qin’s dismissal and been willing to address media questions, it might have incurred nothing more than embarrassment.

31 Jul 2023 - 11:34AMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

What haze around Qin Gang says about inner workings of China’s Communist Party

‘Soft landing’ indicates wish to avoid embarrassing top leadership and keep foreign policy stable ahead of busy season for diplomacy, analysts say.

29 Jul 2023 - 10:00PMvideocam

Diplomacy

China’s Wang Yi speaks as foreign minister, as Qin Gang reappears on website

Foreign ministry spokeswoman tells media not to ‘over-decode’ matters as Qin’s information reappears on official website.

29 Jul 2023 - 3:54AMvideocam

103

Diplomacy

Exit Qin Gang, enter Wang Yi — what is behind China’s foreign minister switch?

The Chinese Communist Party has a history of turning to senior figures to steady the ship in emergencies and Wang’s return may be in line with this precedent.

28 Jul 2023 - 3:19PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Editorial | Wang Yi’s return as China’s foreign minister is a signal of continuity

There is bound to be speculation about why Qin Gang was ousted just seven months into the job but his replacement, who held the post for nearly 10 years, is well respected around the world and brings stability during uncertain times.

27 Jul 2023 - 6:16AMvideocam

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi attends a meeting with foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as from South Korea and Japan on July 13. Photo: dpa

China’s Communist Party

Chinese foreign minister switch: Wolf Warrior, hopes of stability

Qin Gang’s abrupt ousting means foreign diplomats will once again be dealing with someone who is seen in Europe as ‘a known quantity, but not well-liked’.

27 Jul 2023 - 10:23PMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

‘Just tell the truth, the sky won’t fall’: Chinese left guessing about Qin Gang

Absence of details on downfall of once rising star has left online and offline communities confused, with several questioning the health issues angle.

26 Jul 2023 - 10:30PMvideocam

Video | Questions remain after China replaces foreign minister Qin Gang

26 Jul 2023 - 6:01PM

02:49

Diplomacy

China replaces Qin Gang with Wang Yi, but big questions linger

Qin’s replacement has been named, ending weeks of speculation, but it’s still not clear what prompted the former foreign minister’s removal.

26 Jul 2023 - 12:49PMvideocam

179

Diplomacy

China removes Qin Gang as foreign minister after month-long absence

Predecessor Wang Yi will take on the role’s responsibilities.

26 Jul 2023 - 12:50PMvideocam

221

US-China relations

Where in the world is Qin Gang, and why it matters to US-China diplomacy

China’s foreign minister has not been seen publicly since June 25, and the effects on Beijing’s relations with Washington are growing, especially before a possible Xi Jinping-Joe Biden meeting in November.

22 Jul 2023 - 8:28PMvideocam

131

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang is seen at a joint news conference with his Dutch counterpart Wopke Hoekstra in Beijing on May 23. Qin has not been seen in public since June 25. Photo: AP

SCMP Highlights

Mystery of China’s missing minister takes toll on country’s image: 7 highlights

From the prolonged absence of China’s foreign minister to Singapore’s political memes, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

21 Jul 2023 - 2:12PMvideocam

China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang has not been seen in public since late June. Photo: Reuters

China’s Communist Party

Mystery over China’s missing foreign minister takes toll on country’s image

Beijing has been unable to damp down speculation as sceptics question official line that unspecified health problems are the cause of his prolonged absence.

25 Jul 2023 - 7:52PMvideocam

152

China-EU relations

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell eyes October trip to China

Borrell ‘tentatively’ agreed to the visit after a meeting with China’s foreign policy chief Wang Yi last week, according to a senior Brussels source

18 Jul 2023 - 10:00PMvideocam

China-Asean relations

‘Health reasons’: Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang to miss Asean meeting

Qin has not been seen in public since late last month, including talks with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

11 Jul 2023 - 8:22PMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s last public activities were in late June. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Video: Blinken and Qin Gang agree to continue talks after ‘constructive’ US-China meeting in Beijing

29 Jun 2023 - 1:57PM

US-China relations

Blinken and Qin call talks in Beijing ‘constructive’, agree to meet again

US State Department called talks ‘candid, substantive, and constructive’, while Beijing mixed calls to continue high-level exchanges and expand cultural, business and educational exchanges with a warning about Taiwan.

19 Jun 2023 - 8:20PMvideocam

192

US-China relations

US-China relations: Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit confirmed

The US secretary of state will discuss the importance of keeping open lines of communication and discuss potential areas of cooperation, Washington says.

15 Jun 2023 - 5:32AMvideocam

260

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Qin Gang

As fourth plenum looms, China braces for a major Central Committee shake-up

Reshuffle expected this month at top Communist Party body as more senior officials are sidelined by corruption investigations.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}My Take | ‘Comrade’ is no longer in fashion in China, but some people still want to bring it back

No bold moves: China’s wide anti-corruption net has officials afraid to innovate

Third plenum concludes, Japan delegation to visit Beijing and more

China eyes bold 10-year tech and economic goals, sets plenum dates

Plan should balance ‘economy and society, government and market, efficiency and equity, vitality and order, development and security’.

Hong Kong property curbs scrapped, Qin Gang resigns: 7 highlights of the week

From property curbs in Hong Kong being scrapped to the intensifying durian market in China, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Former Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang resigns from country’s legislature

Statement from NPC Standing Committee meeting says Qin Gang was not dismissed or expelled.

Asian Angle | How Southeast Asia can benefit as China seeks out more friends

China’s relationship with Southeast Asia has gained importance in light of Western powers’ attempts to expand influence in the Asia-Pacific.

China’s foreign minister blasts US as ‘biggest source of instability’

A day after US announces new investment curbs, Beijing’s top diplomat accuses Washington of suppressing emerging countries and ‘coercing’ others into ‘unilateral protectionism’ during meeting with Singaporean leader.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | With ‘no downside’, Australia extends invite to China’s foreign minister Wang Yi

Australia’s embassy in Beijing has issued an invitation from Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong for her newly reappointed Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, to visit Canberra, according to sources close to the Australian government.

Opinion | Stony silence over Qin Gang saga does China’s reputation no favours

If Beijing had come clean about the reasons for Qin’s dismissal and been willing to address media questions, it might have incurred nothing more than embarrassment.

What haze around Qin Gang says about inner workings of China’s Communist Party

‘Soft landing’ indicates wish to avoid embarrassing top leadership and keep foreign policy stable ahead of busy season for diplomacy, analysts say.

China’s Wang Yi speaks as foreign minister, as Qin Gang reappears on website

Foreign ministry spokeswoman tells media not to ‘over-decode’ matters as Qin’s information reappears on official website.

Exit Qin Gang, enter Wang Yi — what is behind China’s foreign minister switch?

The Chinese Communist Party has a history of turning to senior figures to steady the ship in emergencies and Wang’s return may be in line with this precedent.

Editorial | Wang Yi’s return as China’s foreign minister is a signal of continuity

There is bound to be speculation about why Qin Gang was ousted just seven months into the job but his replacement, who held the post for nearly 10 years, is well respected around the world and brings stability during uncertain times.

Chinese foreign minister switch: Wolf Warrior, hopes of stability

Qin Gang’s abrupt ousting means foreign diplomats will once again be dealing with someone who is seen in Europe as ‘a known quantity, but not well-liked’.

‘Just tell the truth, the sky won’t fall’: Chinese left guessing about Qin Gang

Absence of details on downfall of once rising star has left online and offline communities confused, with several questioning the health issues angle.

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | Questions remain after China replaces foreign minister Qin Gang

China replaces Qin Gang with Wang Yi, but big questions linger

Qin’s replacement has been named, ending weeks of speculation, but it’s still not clear what prompted the former foreign minister’s removal.

China removes Qin Gang as foreign minister after month-long absence

Predecessor Wang Yi will take on the role’s responsibilities.

Where in the world is Qin Gang, and why it matters to US-China diplomacy

China’s foreign minister has not been seen publicly since June 25, and the effects on Beijing’s relations with Washington are growing, especially before a possible Xi Jinping-Joe Biden meeting in November.

Mystery of China’s missing minister takes toll on country’s image: 7 highlights

From the prolonged absence of China’s foreign minister to Singapore’s political memes, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Mystery over China’s missing foreign minister takes toll on country’s image

Beijing has been unable to damp down speculation as sceptics question official line that unspecified health problems are the cause of his prolonged absence.

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell eyes October trip to China

Borrell ‘tentatively’ agreed to the visit after a meeting with China’s foreign policy chief Wang Yi last week, according to a senior Brussels source

‘Health reasons’: Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang to miss Asean meeting

Qin has not been seen in public since late last month, including talks with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Video: Blinken and Qin Gang agree to continue talks after ‘constructive’ US-China meeting in Beijing

Blinken and Qin call talks in Beijing ‘constructive’, agree to meet again

US State Department called talks ‘candid, substantive, and constructive’, while Beijing mixed calls to continue high-level exchanges and expand cultural, business and educational exchanges with a warning about Taiwan.

US-China relations: Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit confirmed

The US secretary of state will discuss the importance of keeping open lines of communication and discuss potential areas of cooperation, Washington says.

My Take | ‘Comrade’ is no longer in fashion in China, but some people still want to bring it back

Exclusive | With ‘no downside’, Australia extends invite to China’s foreign minister Wang Yi

Video | Questions remain after China replaces foreign minister Qin Gang