ExclusiveChina’s diplomats working abroad given a ‘very rare’ pay rise, sources say
- Wages have gone up by more than US$1,000 a month regardless of location or rank, according to people familiar with the situation
- It could be a bid to reassure diplomatic corps and suggests Beijing believes they have ‘more significant role to play’, analysts say
Chinese diplomats posted to overseas missions received a substantial pay rise this spring, sources say, in what is seen as a vote of confidence after the abrupt departure of the country’s former foreign minister.
Salaries have gone up by more than US$1,000 a month across the board, according to several sources familiar with the situation, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.
They said the pay rise was approved by Beijing in recent months and applied to all officials posted to Chinese embassies and consulates overseas, regardless of their location or rank.
Officials working in foreign relations within China would not receive the pay increase, the sources said.
It is a substantial raise for Chinese officials and comes as government bodies at various levels are looking to make deep budget cuts.
