China detains prominent senior diplomat Liu Jianchao, seen as next foreign minister

8 months ago

Tenzin Nyidon

DHARAMSHALA, Aug. 12: Chinese authorities have detained Liu Jianchao, a prominent senior diplomat long regarded as a frontrunner to become China’s next foreign minister. The move marks the most high-profile diplomatic probe in Beijing since the abrupt ouster of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang in 2023.

Liu, 61, currently heads the Chinese Communist Party’s International Liaison Department (ILD), a powerful organ tasked with managing ties between the party and foreign political groups. The Oxford-educated career diplomat previously served as China’s ambassador to the Philippines and Indonesia, and in senior roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including spokesperson. His reputation as a polished communicator and bridge-builder with Western officials had positioned him as a strong candidate to succeed veteran foreign poli...

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