The Chinese ambassador to the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Li Yan, passed away in Beijing at the age of 52.
According to a report by the Chinese Communist Party’s official media Xinhua News Agency on March 12, Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Li Yan, passed away in Beijing on February 27. However, the report did not specify the exact cause of death.
On February 10 this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website also released news of Li Yan meeting with the UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Congo. From photos of public events, Li Yan seemed to be in good physical and mental condition, showing no signs of serious illness. The sudden news of Li Yan’s death quickly spread through various media outlets and became a hot topic, leading many netizens to speculate that there may have been foul play in Li Yan’s death.
On the evening of March 12, Li Li, a member of the China Africa People’s Friendship Association, revealed on social media that Li Yan had passed away in a car accident.
On March 13, an article by Netease titled “Dr. Observation” further revealed that Li Yan had died in a car accident in Beijing. Moreover, three days before the incident, she had reposted updates from the Central African Cooperation Forum on her social media, which turned out to be her last post before her passing.
In addition, Li Yan passed away on February 27, but the official announcement was made nearly half a month after the incident. In response to this, the article cited a spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating that considering the ongoing meetings of the “Two Sessions” (National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference), the official decision was made to announce the news after the conclusion of the sessions in order to minimize the impact of the incident.
The “Two Sessions” concluded on March 11.
Public records show that Li Yan joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August 1996, was promoted to Director of the Foreign Ministry Service Center in December 2010, Director of the Cadre Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in May 2013, and Deputy Commissioner of the Disciplinary Inspection Team of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection stationed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June 2016. In June 2018, she became Deputy Head of the Disciplinary Inspection and Supervision Team of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection stationed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
After December 2018, Li Yan served as a Counsellor and Minister Counsellor at the Permanent Mission to the United Nations, and in June 2023, she became the Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville).