https://www.scmp.com/rss/516236/feed 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. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com William Zheng William Zheng The fourth plenum of China’s ruling Communist Party taking place this month will be closely watched for potential reshuffles, with at least nine members of its top policymaking Central Committee set to be replaced. These changes are expected either due to ongoing corruption investigations or because some officials have passed away, marking a new high in turnover since 2017. The fourth plenum is one of seven typically held during each five-year term of the Central Committee. The coming edition... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3328127/chinas-fourth-plenum-poised-highest-central-committee-turnover-8-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3328127/chinas-fourth-plenum-poised-highest-central-committee-turnover-8-years?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Oct 2025 22:00:08 +0000 Zhou Xin Zhou Xin A recent opinion piece in the People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party, argued that China should bring back the term “comrade” (tongzhi) as the common form of address among Chinese people. It is an interesting proposal, as the term’s political and cultural implications are largely out of touch with Chinese society. While comrade is a formal form of address inside the Communist Party, its use is limited to official settings. It is used as a suffix to full names in documents, such as... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3318146/comrade-no-longer-fashion-china-some-people-still-want-bring-it-back?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3318146/comrade-no-longer-fashion-china-some-people-still-want-bring-it-back?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Jul 2025 23:00:08 +0000 Chinese President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign, having claimed the scalps of millions of officials and entering its second decade with no signs of slowing, has been hailed by Beijing as achieving an “overwhelming victory” against corruption. However, even though Beijing is making progress in ensuring loyalty and discipline from the country’s massive bureaucratic system, officials are becoming more risk averse, overworked and lacking any incentive to use their initiative in tackling... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3274741/no-bold-moves-chinas-anti-corruption-net-has-risk-averse-officials-afraid-innovate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3274741/no-bold-moves-chinas-anti-corruption-net-has-risk-averse-officials-afraid-innovate?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Aug 2024 22:00:24 +0000 The communique issued at the end of the four-day third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of China’s Communist Party held little in the way of surprises, but there were enough variations from the norm to satisfy China watchers. The English version of the communique is around 3,700 words long, and much of it consists of exhortations to follow Xi Jinping Thought and stressing the goal of building a modern socialist country, leaving little in the way of substantive descriptions of... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3271073/third-plenum-concludes-japan-delegation-visit-beijing-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3271073/third-plenum-concludes-japan-delegation-visit-beijing-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Jul 2024 09:01:55 +0000 China’s political leadership has set ambitious economic and tech development goals for the next decade, signalling a consensus among the Communist Party’s upper echelon on how best to cope with China’s economic challenges. The goals were unveiled in a statement on Thursday that also announced that the party would hold its long-anticipated third plenum meeting from July 15 to 18. The announcements came after the meeting of the Politburo – the highest decision-making body in Chinese politics – and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3268234/dates-set-chinas-long-awaited-third-plenum-when-policy-direction-will-be-revealed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3268234/dates-set-chinas-long-awaited-third-plenum-when-policy-direction-will-be-revealed?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Jun 2024 05:41:21 +0000 We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Hong Kong budget – all property curbs scrapped to boost market During his budget speech, Hong Kong finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po said the city would remove all restrictions on property transactions as part of his solutions for the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3253753/hong-kong-property-curbs-scrapped-taylor-swift-deal-questioned-chinas-durian-king-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3253753/hong-kong-property-curbs-scrapped-taylor-swift-deal-questioned-chinas-durian-king-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Mar 2024 04:00:18 +0000 China’s former foreign minister Qin Gang, who has been missing from public view since June last year, has resigned as a member of the national legislature ahead of a key political set piece event, according to an official statement. The statement, issued after a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, said Qin has not been dismissed or expelled from the NPC. China sacks missing defence chief Li Shangfu with no explanation His resignation as a deputy has been accepted... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3253384/chinas-former-foreign-minister-qin-gang-resigns-deputy-membership-after-long-absence-public-view?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3253384/chinas-former-foreign-minister-qin-gang-resigns-deputy-membership-after-long-absence-public-view?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Feb 2024 09:09:17 +0000 Two unprecedented high-level personnel changes at China’s foreign ministry have highlighted the lack of organisational autonomy at the agency. Despite the changes, however, China’s foreign policy, and in particular its approach to Southeast Asia, will remain largely unchanged. The first came on July 25, when it was announced that Qin Gang had been removed as foreign minister. Barely six months into the job and having disappeared for a month, he is now China’s shortest-serving foreign... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3231435/china-stays-course-wang-yis-return-southeast-asia-can-work-beijing-build-stronger-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3231435/china-stays-course-wang-yis-return-southeast-asia-can-work-beijing-build-stronger-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Aug 2023 06:00:23 +0000 China’s top diplomat Wang Yi lashed out at the US on Friday for suppressing emerging countries and described Washington as “the biggest source of instability” in the world. Wang, who became China’s foreign minister again following Qin Gang’s abrupt departure last month, slammed US hegemony and protectionism during his Southeast Asia trip on Friday, a day after Washington imposed new tech investment curbs against Beijing. “The United States, out of its motive to maintain unipolar hegemony, is... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3230838/chinas-wang-yi-blasts-us-biggest-source-instability-during-asean-tour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3230838/chinas-wang-yi-blasts-us-biggest-source-instability-during-asean-tour?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Aug 2023 12:33:45 +0000 Australia’s embassy in Beijing has issued an invitation from Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong to her newly reappointed Chinese counterpart to visit Canberra, according to sources close to the Australian government, although a date has not been confirmed. Wang Yi, director of the Communist Party’s Central Foreign Affairs Commission, replaced Qin Gang, who has not been seen in public since June, as foreign minister last week. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs told the Post that... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3229714/australia-invites-chinas-new-foreign-minister-canberra-sees-no-downside-wang-yis-return?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3229714/australia-invites-chinas-new-foreign-minister-canberra-sees-no-downside-wang-yis-return?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Aug 2023 08:00:16 +0000 It is like watching a political satire show, except that it’s not. Qin Gang, China’s newly minted foreign minister and a high-flying political star, has disappeared from public view since June 25. Speculation about his political future and personal well-being started to gather pace after a Foreign Ministry spokesperson claimed on July 11 that Qin was unable to attend the Asean foreign ministers’ meeting due to “health reasons”. That claim came after Beijing postponed a trip by European Union... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3229229/stony-silence-over-qin-gang-saga-does-chinas-reputation-no-favours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3229229/stony-silence-over-qin-gang-saga-does-chinas-reputation-no-favours?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Jul 2023 19:30:12 +0000 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. 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... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3229320/fog-around-qin-gangs-exit-signals-chinas-communist-party-yet-decide-fate-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3229320/fog-around-qin-gangs-exit-signals-chinas-communist-party-yet-decide-fate-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Jul 2023 14:00:19 +0000 Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi vowed to “resolutely safeguard” national interests, spelling out his goals in a statement on Friday – days after being reappointed as foreign minister. They were Wang’s first remarks on his new role since being named on Tuesday to head the foreign ministry in place of Qin Gang, a close aide of President Xi Jinping and rising political star who has not been seen in public since late June. Following the announcement of Qin’s abrupt dismissal just seven months into the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3229291/chinas-wang-yi-sets-out-goals-foreign-minister-again-qin-gangs-name-reappears-ministry-website?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3229291/chinas-wang-yi-sets-out-goals-foreign-minister-again-qin-gangs-name-reappears-ministry-website?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Jul 2023 10:58:06 +0000 The abrupt ousting of China’s former foreign minister Qin Gang after only seven months might be highly unusual, but the response may be in line with Beijing’s typical playbook. Beijing’s move to reappoint Wang Yi to the role follows the tradition of parachuting trusted members of its top decision-making body to steer the Communist Party through a political crisis. The choice of Wang, who had the job for 10 years before being promoted to become Communist Party’s foreign policy chief last year,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3229043/why-was-wang-yi-brought-back-chinas-foreign-minister-after-qin-gangs-abrupt-exit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3229043/why-was-wang-yi-brought-back-chinas-foreign-minister-after-qin-gangs-abrupt-exit?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Jul 2023 22:00:14 +0000 The replacement of Qin Gang by his predecessor Wang Yi as foreign minister may do little to stop the speculation over one of China’s most high-profile political dramas in recent years. But it does help restore stability and enables the country to push ahead with a heavily loaded diplomatic agenda. This is especially important as the international environment becomes increasingly volatile. The announcement has ended a month-long guessing game over Qin’s absence from official duties. He was last... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3229054/wang-yis-return-chinas-foreign-minister-signal-continuity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3229054/wang-yis-return-chinas-foreign-minister-signal-continuity?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Jul 2023 17:38:24 +0000 China’s tough-talking foreign minister Qin Gang is gone, but foreign diplomats and analysts believe the “wolf warrior” style of diplomacy he is known for will continue. They said Wang Yi, Qin’s predecessor who has been parachuted back into the job, will be a familiar face that some governments may find reassuring, but he is seen as just as – if not more – confrontational. “Wang is a known quantity, but he is not exactly liked very much [in Europe] … he is always very vocal on China’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3229033/chinese-foreign-minister-exit-no-change-wolf-warrior-diplomacy-wang-yis-return-it-offers-hope-policy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3229033/chinese-foreign-minister-exit-no-change-wolf-warrior-diplomacy-wang-yis-return-it-offers-hope-policy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Jul 2023 14:00:14 +0000 The abrupt removal of Qin Gang following a mysterious month-long absence has left the people of China confused and speculating about the reason behind the former foreign minister’s fall from grace. Online or off, many Chinese find the official information about Qin – now China’s shortest-serving foreign minister ever – lacking in details on what might have precipitated the sudden turn of fate for a once rising star. Qin had not been seen in public since June 25, with no official explanation... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3229034/chinese-left-guessing-about-ex-foreign-minister-qin-gang-swift-removal-follows-long-absence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3229034/chinese-left-guessing-about-ex-foreign-minister-qin-gang-swift-removal-follows-long-absence?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Jul 2023 13:26:26 +0000 China has replaced its foreign minister Qin Gang with his predecessor Wang Yi in an unprecedented move that leaves more questions than answers to one of the most engrossing political dramas in recent years. Citing a decision by the nation’s top legislation body, state media said simply on Tuesday that Qin, who disappeared from the public view in June, was removed from his position. The reports did not elaborate or say what will happen to the former senior diplomat or his other... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228906/china-replaces-qin-gang-wang-yi-big-political-questions-linger?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228906/china-replaces-qin-gang-wang-yi-big-political-questions-linger?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Jul 2023 15:03:55 +0000 Qin Gang, who has not been seen in public since June, has been removed as the country’s foreign minister, state broadcaster CCTV reports. The abrupt announcement of Qin’s removal came after weeks of speculation about his fate. His absence has dominated domestic political discussions, and evolved into one of the biggest crises for Chinese President Xi Jinping since his unprecedented third term began last year. CCTV’s short statement said Wang Yi, who outranks Qin and serves as Xi’s top foreign... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228881/china-removes-qin-gang-foreign-minister-after-month-long-absence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228881/china-removes-qin-gang-foreign-minister-after-month-long-absence?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Jul 2023 11:07:18 +0000 The extended absence from public view of Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang could have a deleterious effect on US-China relations if it stretches much longer, given the delicate diplomatic dance under way in advance of an anticipated November meeting between the leaders of the two countries, US analysts and former officials said. Qin, who is closely aligned with President Xi Jinping, has not been seen in public since June 25, spurring rumours and head-scratching around the world. Officially,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228565/where-world-qin-gang-and-why-it-matters-us-china-diplomacy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228565/where-world-qin-gang-and-why-it-matters-us-china-diplomacy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Jul 2023 19:30:42 +0000 We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Mystery over China’s missing foreign minister takes toll on country’s image It is the high season for Chinese diplomacy – with past and present world leaders visiting Beijing over the past month – but the country’s foreign minister... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3228350/mystery-chinas-missing-foreign-minister-qin-gang-singapores-scandals-spark-memes-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3228350/mystery-chinas-missing-foreign-minister-qin-gang-singapores-scandals-spark-memes-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Jul 2023 03:30:08 +0000 It is the high season for Chinese diplomacy – with past and present world leaders visiting Beijing over the past month – but the country’s foreign minister has been conspicuously absent. Qin Gang, supposedly the face of the country, has been out of the public view since June 25, missing important events such as a regional gathering of foreign ministers in Indonesia and a number of visits by senior American figures. So far Beijing has been tight-lipped about his whereabouts, attributing his... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228262/mystery-over-missing-chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-takes-toll-countrys-international-image?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228262/mystery-over-missing-chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-takes-toll-countrys-international-image?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Jul 2023 12:46:06 +0000 EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell has “tentatively” agreed to visit China in October following a meeting with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi in Jakarta last week. However, Brussels has not been given assurances that the meeting would be with Qin Gang, the foreign minister who has not been seen in public for three weeks, according to a senior EU source who spoke on condition of anonymity. A second source said Qin’s name did not come up during Saturday’s meeting with Wang, who is head of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228138/eu-foreign-affairs-chief-josep-borrell-eyes-october-trip-china-has-not-been-assured-he-will-meet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228138/eu-foreign-affairs-chief-josep-borrell-eyes-october-trip-china-has-not-been-assured-he-will-meet?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Jul 2023 12:47:07 +0000 Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang will not attend Asean meetings in Indonesia this week, extending a two-week absence because of “health reasons”, according to the foreign ministry. China’s foreign minister traditionally joins counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations but Qin will not be in Jakarta for the annual gathering on Thursday and Friday. Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat and Qin’s predecessor, will attend instead. Wang is one step higher in the Communist Party’s hierarchy... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3227285/health-issues-chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-miss-asean-meeting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3227285/health-issues-chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-miss-asean-meeting?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Jul 2023 07:38:30 +0000 https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3225876/video-blinken-and-qin-gang-agree-continue-talks-after-constructive-us-china-meeting-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3225876/video-blinken-and-qin-gang-agree-continue-talks-after-constructive-us-china-meeting-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jun 2023 05:57:30 +0000 Four months after cancelling his trip to Beijing, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in the Chinese capital in a push to ease tensions between the two countries that both sides called “constructive” and ended with an agreement to continue discussions in Washington. The talks at the Diaoyutai State Guest House lasted 5½ hours, and were described by the US State Department as “candid, substantive, and constructive”. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV called them... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3224492/us-china-relations-antony-blinken-and-qin-gang-begin-talks-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3224492/us-china-relations-antony-blinken-and-qin-gang-begin-talks-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Jun 2023 07:11:11 +0000 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Beijing on Sunday and Monday, the two sides have confirmed, a move that could put bilateral relations on better footing after months of acrimony. While in Beijing, Blinken will meet senior officials to discuss the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to responsibly manage the relationship, the State Department said. He will also raise bilateral issues of concern, global and regional matters, and potential cooperation on shared... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3224016/qin-gang-calls-us-show-respect-stop-undermining-chinas-interests?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3224016/qin-gang-calls-us-show-respect-stop-undermining-chinas-interests?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jun 2023 04:59:22 +0000 Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang sought to assure Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday that the country would continue to offer a friendly business environment to foreign companies. Meeting the head of the US-based multinational in Beijing, Qin said there should be timely “brakes” to prevent dangers in the relationship between the two countries, and a healthy, stable and constructive relationship would benefit both China and the United States, as well as the world. “China will continue to... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3222354/were-open-business-chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-tells-tesla-ceo-elon-musk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3222354/were-open-business-chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-tells-tesla-ceo-elon-musk?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 May 2023 13:49:52 +0000 Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang called on the UN’s nuclear watchdog to “resist” pressure from countries seeking to “undermine international cooperation”, just days after G7 leaders said Beijing’s atomic arsenal is a threat to global and regional stability. Speaking with Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Beijing on Tuesday, Qin reiterated that China’s nuclear strategy is based on the principles of self-defence and non-proliferation. “China... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3221648/chinas-qin-gang-calls-un-objectivity-face-g7-nuke-pressure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3221648/chinas-qin-gang-calls-un-objectivity-face-g7-nuke-pressure?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 May 2023 08:00:18 +0000 China and Europe should jointly oppose a “new cold war”, while deepening collaboration to promote common development and prosperity, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said in Oslo on the last day of his trip to Norway. “The Cold War was a tragedy for mankind. A new cold war would only bring greater disaster – severely harming the interests of people in China and Europe as well as the rest of the world, and undermining multilateralism and global governance,” Qin said at a joint press conference... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3220434/china-europe-should-jointly-oppose-new-cold-war-foreign-minister-qin-gang-says-norway?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3220434/china-europe-should-jointly-oppose-new-cold-war-foreign-minister-qin-gang-says-norway?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 May 2023 04:45:40 +0000 China and Norway should deepen cooperation, especially in the green economy, and work together against economic protectionism and decoupling, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang told Norwegian business leaders in Oslo. In a meeting on Thursday, Qin said Norway – one of China’s main European suppliers of fertiliser, oil, and seafood – had been a “long-standing” partner of China since Norwegian businesses entered the Chinese market as early as 1888. “China and Norway are both supporters and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3220313/china-and-norway-should-join-hands-liberalise-and-ease-trade-qin-gang-tells-oslo-business-leaders?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3220313/china-and-norway-should-join-hands-liberalise-and-ease-trade-qin-gang-tells-oslo-business-leaders?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 May 2023 05:53:37 +0000 China’s foreign minister Qin Gang will visit Australia in July, according to a source close to the Chinese government and an Australian academic, with “the reciprocal visit” the latest in a series of high-profile political and trade-related moves. The expected trip to Canberra follows a meeting between Australian foreign minister Penny Wong and Qin’s predecessor, Wang Yi, in December. Former US ambassador Qin, who replaced Wang Yi in December, has already met Wong this year during the Group of... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3220231/chinas-foreign-minister-qin-gang-visit-australia-july-reciprocal-visit-beijing-canberra-ties-ease?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3220231/chinas-foreign-minister-qin-gang-visit-australia-july-reciprocal-visit-beijing-canberra-ties-ease?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 May 2023 22:00:10 +0000 With US-China tensions spiking again across the Taiwan Strait, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang took time out on his three-nation tour of Europe on Wednesday for a stop in the small German city of Potsdam. Just southwest of Berlin, the city was the site of the Potsdam Conference in 1945, when the leaders of the United States, Britain, the Soviet Union and Chinese Kuomintang met in a defining moment for the post-war balance of power. The gathering also has special significance for China and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3220229/why-did-chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-stop-potsdam-and-how-it-tied-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3220229/why-did-chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-stop-potsdam-and-how-it-tied-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 May 2023 12:00:27 +0000 China and France should boost cooperation on international affairs and work together to “tackle global challenges”, Foreign Minister Qin Gang said in talks with his French counterpart Catherine Colonna on Wednesday. During their meeting in Paris, Qin said the two sides should expand exchanges at all levels, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout. “China has always seen Europe as a comprehensive strategic partner and has always shown clear support for Europe’s efforts to strengthen... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3220184/qin-gang-calls-china-france-work-together-tackle-global-challenges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3220184/qin-gang-calls-china-france-work-together-tackle-global-challenges?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 May 2023 07:18:20 +0000 Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has warned that the real “risk” Europe faces comes from “a certain country” that is waging a “new cold war”, imposing unilateral sanctions and exporting its own financial problems to others. Qin did not mention the United States by name, but accused the country in question of fomenting ideological confrontation and engaging in camp confrontation, when asked about the EU’s “de-risking” strategy in Berlin on Tuesday. The unnamed nation had abused the monopoly... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3220037/china-not-real-risk-europe-qin-gang-warns-berlin-hosts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3220037/china-not-real-risk-europe-qin-gang-warns-berlin-hosts?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 May 2023 05:53:25 +0000 A trip by China’s foreign minister this week to France, Germany and Norway signals Beijing’s intention to rebuild European Union relations as the bloc seeks to “get out of the shadow” of the war in Ukraine, observers said. “As China’s preparation to send a special envoy [to Ukraine] for mediation is almost complete, the leadership is making efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis and get China-EU relations back on track,” said Wang Yiwei, a Renmin University professor who specialises in Europe... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219971/chinese-engagement-or-divide-and-conquer-foreign-minister-qin-gang-heads-europe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219971/chinese-engagement-or-divide-and-conquer-foreign-minister-qin-gang-heads-europe?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 May 2023 14:00:08 +0000 In his first public meeting with a US official since the “spy balloon” saga, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said the top priority for the two countries is to prevent a “downward spiral” in US-China relations. Qin told US ambassador to China Nicholas Burns in Beijing on Monday that China and the United States should maintain this bottom line and avoid further incidents. “The top priority is to stabilise China-US relations, avoid a downward spiral, and prevent accidents between China and the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219779/meet-china-half-way-foreign-minister-qin-gang-and-us-envoy-break-spy-balloon-diplomatic-ice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219779/meet-china-half-way-foreign-minister-qin-gang-and-us-envoy-break-spy-balloon-diplomatic-ice?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 May 2023 12:00:19 +0000 China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang has warned South and Central Asian nations to maintain their distance from the United States by maintaining “strategic autonomy” and lashed out at Washington’s meddling in regional affairs. Qin’s comments during his second visit to India in the space of two months were seen by analysts as a tailored message to other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and particularly his hosts. The SCO foreign ministers’ meeting concluded in Goa on Friday with a... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219587/chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-urges-neighbours-keep-their-distance-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219587/chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-urges-neighbours-keep-their-distance-us?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 May 2023 14:34:26 +0000 China will keep up its close coordination with Russia for a “real contribution” to peace talks in Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Thursday. At their third in-person meeting since Qin’s appointment at the end of last year, the two sides also agreed to “step up communication and coordination in the Asia-Pacific to oppose a ‘new cold war’”, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement. The pair met in Goa – on the sidelines of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219475/chinas-qin-gang-pledges-keep-moscow-close-ukraine-peace-bid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219475/chinas-qin-gang-pledges-keep-moscow-close-ukraine-peace-bid?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 May 2023 06:00:18 +0000 Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has promised to improve dialogue and coordination in a meeting with his Indian counterpart as Beijing seeks to ease tensions between the two countries amid a border dispute. Qin called on both countries to “learn from history” and “respect each other” to deepen cooperation for the “healthy and stable” development of their relations, according to a statement from China on the meeting between Qin and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s minister of external... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219439/hosting-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-indian-foreign-minister-meets-chinese-counterpart?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219439/hosting-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-indian-foreign-minister-meets-chinese-counterpart?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 May 2023 20:40:27 +0000 Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang will visit Pakistan on Friday with efforts to resolve the crisis in Afghanistan high on the agenda. During his two-day stopover, Qin will meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and will also join in three-way talks with the Taliban’s interim foreign minister, Amir Khan Mutaqi. Mutaqi, who is the subject of a travel ban under United Nations Security Council sanctions, was granted an exemption to travel to Pakistan for the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219411/chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-heads-pakistan-afghanistan-talks-high-agenda?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219411/chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-heads-pakistan-afghanistan-talks-high-agenda?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 May 2023 11:50:03 +0000 In a rare visit to Myanmar, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has called for stability in the troubled country and urged the international community to respect its sovereignty and help push for peace and reconciliation. Qin praised China’s “good-neighbourly relations” with Myanmar during a meeting with the country’s junta chief on Tuesday, promising economic help on key infrastructure deals and other projects and pledging to “build a community of a shared future” between the two... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219288/chinas-qin-gang-pledges-economic-help-myanmar-stops-short-recognising-junta?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219288/chinas-qin-gang-pledges-economic-help-myanmar-stops-short-recognising-junta?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 May 2023 12:57:58 +0000 Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has called for maintaining “clear and stable borders” with Myanmar and cracking down on cross-border crime while warning against a “spillover” of the escalating violence in the Southeast Asian country. Qin made the comments on Tuesday during a rare visit to the southwestern frontier province of Yunnan, where he highlighted the importance of maintaining stability in the region and promoting “friendly cooperation” between the neighbouring countries. Qin called for... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219172/chinas-qin-gang-warns-against-spillover-myanmar-violence-calls-clear-and-stable-border?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219172/chinas-qin-gang-warns-against-spillover-myanmar-violence-calls-clear-and-stable-border?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 May 2023 03:00:09 +0000 Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has said modernisation should not be a “monopolised privilege” for a few countries. Qin said in a speech to the Lanting Forum in Shanghai, an event supported by the foreign ministry, that the Chinese-brokered deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran, along with its “impartial stance” and push for peace talks in the Ukraine war has proved Chinese modernisation to be a “boost for peace” and a “force for justice”. “Modernisation is an inalienable right of all countries,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3217856/modernisation-not-privilege-few-countries-says-chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3217856/modernisation-not-privilege-few-countries-says-chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Apr 2023 08:00:15 +0000 Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang urged Germany to avoid confrontation on Friday as Beijing continued its diplomatic push to win over Europe. “China and Germany have to cooperate and not confront [each other]. Neither a zero-sum consultation or bloc confrontation is necessary,” Qin said after talks with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, who warned a military escalation in the Taiwan Strait would be a “horror scenario for the whole world”. Baerbock’s trip to China is being closely watched... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3217128/chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-urges-germany-avoid-bloc-confrontation-amid-warnings-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3217128/chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-urges-germany-avoid-bloc-confrontation-amid-warnings-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Apr 2023 13:23:09 +0000 Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has urged Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers to build a more inclusive and progressive government and urged it to cooperate more closely with neighbouring countries. On Thursday, Qin attended a quadrilateral meeting with his Russian, Iranian and Pakistani counterparts as part of his visit to Uzbekistan. Afghan ties paper underlines China’s focus on trade, anti-terror work: analyst After the meeting in Samarkand, he put forward a four-point proposal on Afghan issues,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3217102/chinas-foreign-minister-qin-gang-asks-taliban-create-more-progressive-and-inclusive-government?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3217102/chinas-foreign-minister-qin-gang-asks-taliban-create-more-progressive-and-inclusive-government?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Apr 2023 10:29:21 +0000 China will speed up strategic cooperation with Uzbekistan, focusing on new energy and infrastructure, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said in talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Wednesday. Qin, who is on his first trip to Uzbekistan as minister, called for work to start as soon as possible on construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway project which will offer Beijing an alternative land route for Chinese goods to reach the Middle East and Europe. Construction on... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3216927/qin-gang-vows-china-will-work-uzbekistan-energy-and-infrastructure-and-speed-central-asia-train?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3216927/qin-gang-vows-china-will-work-uzbekistan-energy-and-infrastructure-and-speed-central-asia-train?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Apr 2023 09:00:44 +0000 China has urged the US to live up to its commitment in Afghanistan and not push a geopolitical agenda by deploying military facilities near the country. In a position paper issued on Wednesday, Beijing accused its rival of hindering the humanitarian progress by seizing Afghanistan’s overseas assets and imposing unilateral sanctions. Without naming the US and its Western allies, the paper said it was a shared view in the region that Afghanistan had suffered because of “military interference and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3216707/qin-gang-visit-uzbekistan-attend-talks-afghanistan-china-continues-diplomatic-push-central-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3216707/qin-gang-visit-uzbekistan-attend-talks-afghanistan-china-continues-diplomatic-push-central-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Apr 2023 01:00:16 +0000 Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has called on his Malaysian and Vietnamese counterparts to help strengthen regional coordination in the face of geopolitical challenges, as Beijing steps up its diplomatic charm offensive in Southeast Asia. Welcoming Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abd Kadir to Beijing on Tuesday, Qin highlighted the role of China and Malaysia as “important emerging economies and progressive forces in the international arena”. The two sides need to “deepen cooperation and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3215279/chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-malaysia-vietnam-solidarity-call-beijing-seeks-charm-southeast?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3215279/chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-malaysia-vietnam-solidarity-call-beijing-seeks-charm-southeast?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Mar 2023 15:00:18 +0000 China remains committed to a “healthy, stable and constructive” relationship with the US amid still “chilly” bilateral ties, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang told visiting American business leaders on Saturday. At a meeting with US trade organisations and business representatives in Beijing, Qin assured his audience that China will continue to build a better business environment for foreign companies from all countries, including the US, and to welcome the expansion of investments in China. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3214870/chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-assures-us-business-leaders-beijings-support?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3214870/chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-assures-us-business-leaders-beijings-support?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Mar 2023 18:34:05 +0000