TOPIC
 / people

Qin Gang

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
Illustration: Henry Wong
China’s Communist Party

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

China’s leadership urged to introduce new incentives for local officials who are now playing it safe in the face of anti-graft measures.

videocam
34
China’s third plenum

Third plenum concludes, Japan delegation to visit Beijing and more

China’s third plenum

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

videocam
27
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.

View of residential buildings at the Mid-Levels. Photo: May Tse
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.

videocam
79
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.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

videocam
93
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) shakes hands with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Singapore on Friday. Photo: Xinhua
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.

videocam
43
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.

videocam
61
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.

videocam
80
Former Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang has not been seen in public since June 25. Photo: AP
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.

videocam
103
Wang Yi, Politburo member and Communist Party foreign affairs chief, has been reappointed as China’s foreign minister, a role he held for nearly a decade. Photo: EPA-EFE
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.

videocam
66
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.

videocam
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’.

videocam
82
Qin Gang in Cairo, Egypt. Photo: Reuters
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.

videocam
24
Qin Gang has become China’s shortest-serving foreign minister but remains a state councillor. Photo: AP

Video | Questions remain after China replaces foreign minister Qin Gang

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.

videocam
179
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Diplomacy

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

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

videocam
221
Qin Gang has been removed as foreign minister. Photo: Reuters
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.

videocam
131
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.

videocam
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.

videocam
152
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, listens during a press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, at the foreign ministry headquarters in Cairo. Photo: AP
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

videocam
Josep Borrell and Wang Yi met in Jakarta, Indonesia on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua
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.

videocam
18
US-China relations

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

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.

videocam
192
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang enter the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing for talks on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
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.

videocam
260
Antony Blinken will visit China for two days, starting on Sunday. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

We’re open for business, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang tells Elon Musk

Making his first trip to China in three years, Musk says the company is opposed to ‘decoupling’.

videocam
15
G7

China’s Qin Gang calls for UN ‘objectivity’ in face of G7 nuke pressure

Chinese foreign minister urges nuclear watchdog chief to resist efforts to undermine international cooperation.

8
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement