Former spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Zhao Lijian was reassigned as the Deputy Director of the Boundary and Maritime Affairs Department in early 2023. His wife, Tang Tianru, known for her high-profile persona, had recently maintained a more low-key presence. However, following Qin Gang’s removal from the Central Committee, Tang Tianru resurfaced on August 4th with a public post praising Zhao Lijian, sparking speculations of internal power struggles related to Qin Gang.
Tang Tianru took to her Weibo account under the name “Great Intelligence and Stinky Tomato” on the 4th of August to share a series of photos. One of the photos depicted Tang Tianru snuggled against Zhao Lijian’s chest, accompanied by a caption saying, “Life only happens once, escaping death. Love is about constant companionship, care, and gratitude for having you in my life. You are the best husband and the most outstanding party member.”
During Qin Gang’s controversial incident last year, Tang Tianru had previously posted two consecutive messages, celebrating a “good day” and sharing a video portraying Zhao Lijian’s work moments as the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson. Another post claimed Zhao Lijian to be a “good official with integrity for the country and the people.” These public displays by Tang Tianru were interpreted by the public as indicators of Qin Gang’s fall from grace, following the official announcement of his removal from the Foreign Minister position.
Political analyst Yue Shan commented, “In the past, when Qin Gang went missing and was dismissed, Zhao Lijian’s wife ‘shared joy’ on social media. This time, her public praising of her husband is evidently linked to Qin Gang’s recent expulsion by the Central Committee.”
Yue Shan further elaborated on the internal conflicts within the Foreign Ministry, suggesting that Qin Gang’s downfall, allegedly due to a moral scandal reported by insiders to Xi Jinping, implicated figures like Wang Yi and Zhao Lijian, the latter being aligned with Wang Yi. After Qin Gang transferred Zhao Lijian to the “frontier” upon assuming the ministerial role, Zhao harbored a grudge, with his wife serving as his spokesperson.
Furthermore, by labeling Zhao Lijian as the “most outstanding Communist Party member,” Tang Tianru highlighted their loving relationship. Yue Shan raised speculations, noting, “This also hints at a possible extramarital affair involving Qin Gang. However, senior Chinese Communist Party officials before their downfall often carry the title of ‘outstanding Communist Party member.’ The reputation of this title, exemplified by Sun Zhengcai’s 11-year tenure, has now lost its credibility.”
Tang Tianru’s public display of affection on social media stirred discussions among netizens. Some commented, “The more you post, the closer he gets to Qin City.” Others remarked, “Bringing this out again? Can’t you tone it down a bit?”
Moreover, observant netizens pointed out that the photos appeared to be taken in a hospital room, with one noting, “The date on the bracelet is from last year.” Questions arose, with netizens criticizing, “Still in the hospital after more than a year?”