Mystery surrounds China’s ‘firefighter’, missing from trade war front line: Vice-President Wang Qishan
Tipped for a leading role given his experience with the US, he has kept a low profile, perhaps showing how far the sides are from meaningful progress
As the flames of a trade war between China and the United States lick higher, one top Chinese leader expected to help handle relations with Washington has been conspicuous for not taking a public role in the dispute: Vice-President Wang Qishan.
Known in Chinese government circles as “the firefighter” for his central role in tackling issues like corruption and domestic financial problems, Wang also has experience in dealing with the US, having led annual economic talks with Washington when he was a vice-premier.
As a result, Wang had been tipped by foreign diplomats to take a central position in handling US President Donald Trump’s administration when he became vice-president.
These expectations had been heightened when, before his appointment in March, Wang had private meetings with the US’ ambassador to China, Terry Branstad, and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon. He has also held closed-door meetings with US executives in recent months, sources in the US business community say.
But aside from the occasional public meeting with US visitors – most recently in mid-May when he met US business executives in Beijing – and the odd appearance elsewhere, including at a forum in Russia in late May, Wang has kept a low profile.
