Since former Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang “disappeared” at the end of June 2023 and was dismissed a month later, his whereabouts and ultimate fate have been of interest to the public. Although no official investigation conclusion or public information has been released, recent photos of Qin Gang appearing at an event in Beijing circulating on overseas social media have reignited speculation about his political future.
The latest rumor suggests that Qin Gang made a public appearance at the Beijing International Music Festival recently, according to posts on overseas social platform X (formerly Twitter). While the authenticity of the photos and the timing of the event remain unconfirmed by officials, this news has immediately become the latest clue for observers to assess Qin Gang’s current status.
Rumors surrounding Qin Gang have been extremely chaotic, including speculation during his “disappearance” while in office, with unconfirmed online rumors suggesting he was “suicided,” “injected to death,” or died from “liver necrosis.”
“Red Star Shines on China”: It is reported online that former State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who has been missing for a long time, recently appeared at events related to the Beijing International Music Festival.
Democratic activist Zuo Hao posted on X on October 19th, expressing surprise at Qin Gang reappearing in the public eye. He speculates that Qin showing up indicates that the issue surrounding him is in the past, and his treatment within the Chinese Communist Party has likely shifted from a central to a deputy position, with little hope of returning to his previous status as a deputy state-level official.
Political commentator Cai Shenkun revealed on X on October 9th that Qin Gang retired with the treatment of a deputy minister, leaving Fu Xiaotian in a difficult situation, wondering how many years of secret sentencing he received.
On September 27th, a memorial service for former EU Ambassador Guan Chengyuan was held at the deceased’s residence. Hua Chunying attended and conveyed condolences from Xi Jinping and Cai Qi on Guan’s passing. Regarding the issue of Qin Gang, she stated that it had been confirmed that Qin had no political or economic problems and his situation was only related to emotional entanglements with Fu Xiaotian. Qin has safely retired.
Rapid promotion and lightning dismissal have characterized Qin Gang’s career.
Public records show that Qin Gang has held various positions within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), including Deputy Director and Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Department, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and served as the Chinese Ambassador to the United States from 2021 to 2022. He became a member of the Central Committee at the CCP’s 20th Congress.
On December 31, 2022, Qin succeeded Wang Yi as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In March 2023, Qin was promoted to State Councilor, entering the ranks of the CCP’s top leaders within three months, being promoted twice in quick succession.
However, on June 25, 2023, he went missing while in office for a month, and on July 25, he was relieved of his duties as Foreign Minister, becoming the shortest-serving foreign minister in CCP history.
Speculation and concerns have arisen about his whereabouts. In late July 2023, online rumors circulated about Qin Gang’s “death,” claiming that he died of “liver necrosis,” “suicide,” or “lethal injection.”
Expert analysis indicates internal strife, fear of potential threats, and lingering uncertainties within the CCP.
Chinese affairs expert Wang He believes that due to the CCP’s secretive nature, people can only speculate on its internal dynamics based on external clues. He indicated that the CCP is unlikely to disclose the truth about this matter for a considerable amount of time. Only if there is a significant political upheaval within the CCP might someone come forward with the truth. Therefore, the fate of Qin Gang currently remains a matter of speculation.
Wang He mentioned that following Xi Jinping’s rise to power, the importance of the entire CCP foreign policy system has increased. Qin Gang’s swift elevation to a deputy state-level leader, as the youngest at that level, would have been impossible without Xi Jinping’s trust. Qin Gang’s circumstances may have been handled with leniency due to the relatively minor nature of his offenses. It’s also possible that Xi Jinping still has a card to play and hasn’t completely abandoned him yet. The foreign policy system is unique, and without reliable individuals, Xi Jinping would find it difficult to conduct a thorough purge.
He suggested that Qin Gang’s downfall is largely due to internal power struggles within the foreign policy system and that Xi Jinping is wary of potential threats. Xi Jinping is currently facing difficulties in managing the entire foreign policy system. Hence, the handling of Qin Gang undoubtedly involves leaving room for future maneuvers. Qin Gang’s fate is still uncertain, and it doesn’t necessarily mean his political career has come to a complete end.
The CCP’s Third Plenary Session of the Twentieth Central Committee in July 2024 removed Qin Gang from his position as a Central Committee member, but he is still referred to as a “comrade.”