On September 28th, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Son Gwon in Beijing. The presence of former Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian at the meeting sparked speculation.
Ri Son Gwon arrived in Beijing on a special plane on the 27th, marking her second visit to China this month after accompanying North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to attend a military parade in Beijing.
According to Chinese state media, on September 28th, member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Son Gwon in Beijing.
Official photos released by the Chinese government showed Zhao Lijian, the current Deputy Director General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, present at the meeting. This marked Zhao’s first public appearance in high-level diplomatic activities since stepping down as Foreign Ministry spokesperson in 2022, leading to speculation.
Some netizens on overseas platforms commented on the situation, suggesting that Zhao Lijian might be affiliated with Wang Yi and that Qin Gang’s departure paved the way for Zhao’s return to prominence. Others remarked on Zhao’s previous controversial statements during his tenure as spokesperson, indicating a potential comeback.
Zhao Lijian, who entered the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1996, served as the Deputy Director General of the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2020, becoming the 31st spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During his time as spokesperson, his provocative “wolf warrior” rhetoric stirred debates and criticisms.
In one press conference, Zhao Lijian infamously told foreign journalists, “During the epidemic, living in China, you can enjoy yourselves sneakily.” This statement became a source of mockery among internet users, illustrating the challenging circumstances faced by ordinary people during the pandemic.
Regarding the “Five Eyes” alliance (the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom), Zhao Lijian previously warned to “be careful not to blind their eyes!”
After Qin Gang assumed the position of Chinese Foreign Minister, Zhao Lijian was swiftly marginalized, removed from his role as spokesperson, and confirmed to have been reassigned to the Deputy Director General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in early 2023. It was widely speculated that Qin Gang’s actions were viewed as demotions, with Zhao being metaphorically “exiled to the borderlands.”
On July 10, 2023, when then-Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang went missing for over a month, Zhao Lijian’s wife, Tang Tianru, posted a video on social media with the caption, “Today is a good day, using the hair video once,” along with several clips of Zhao Lijian in previous public appearances. This act was interpreted online as Tang Tianru gloating over Qin Gang’s predicament.
Legal expert Yuan Hongbing, who resides in Australia, disclosed to Da Ji Yuan that Qin Gang had removed individuals favored by Wang Yi, with Zhao Lijian being the most prominent among them. Qin Gang had also reshuffled the duties of several senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which directly impacted Wang Yi’s interests. According to Yuan Hongbing, the power struggle between Qin Gang and Wang Yi had escalated to irreconcilable differences.
Yuan Hongbing emphasized that Qin Gang’s troubles exposed significant flaws in the entire Chinese diplomatic system. However, the overall wolf warrior style and principles in Chinese foreign policy were established by Xi Jinping himself, suggesting that the power struggle between Qin Gang and Wang Yi would not lead to a fundamental shift in Chinese diplomatic policies.