China’s special envoys – the corps of shuttle diplomats deployed on hotspot missions

Beijing has appointed a host of emissaries to take on specific tasks, from ethnic conflicts to climate change

It’s an approach China could use more as it takes on challenges from the US and its allies, analysts say

Reading Time:3 minutes

China’s special envoy Zhai Jun (left) meets the United Nations special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland in Jerusalem on March 9. Photo: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Published: 6:00am, 19 Mar 2023

As Beijing quietly hosted senior officials from Iran and Saudi Arabia for breakthrough talks earlier this month, China’s special envoy for the Middle East affairs, Zhai Jun, was already on his next mission.

Zhai was back in the Middle East criss-crossing the region to push for a jump-start of the peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Yue Xiaoyong was in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, for a regular meeting with his Central Asian counterparts to discuss ways to resolve conflict in Afghanistan.

To the southeast, Qian Bo was on a tour of the Pacific, meeting leaders and senior officials in the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

All three diplomats are among more than a dozen special envoys that Beijing has appointed in recent years to tackle specific problems or issues – Yue for Afghan affairs and Qian for the Pacific Islands.

Analysts say the approach allows Beijing to target its diplomatic efforts, and more envoys should be deployed as China tries to offset pressure from the US-led West.

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