Beijing purges hit foreign minister-in-waiting
Liu Jianchao, 61, considered one of the most influential candidates to become China's next foreign minister, was arrested on his return from the capital. According to experts, he may have paid the price for his personal activism or his close ties to Washington. Since 2022, he had travelled to more than 20 countries and met with officials from over 160 countries.
Beijing (AsiaNews) - The purge of senior officials continues in China, with the latest victims including a leading figure who, at least in theory, was among the most influential candidates to head Beijing's diplomatic service.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Liu Jianchao, a senior official considered by many experts to be a potential future foreign minister, has been arrested by the authorities for questioning. Analysts and experts point out that among the reasons for his fall from grace could be his ‘personalistic’ political and diplomatic activism at a time when decisions in the country are made from above.
Added to this is the issue of power struggles, with accusations of being too “close” or “friendly” to the United States. Liu was picked up after returning to the capital at the end of July from a business trip abroad, according to reports yesterday in the newspaper, which cites sources close to the matter.
When asked about the matter, the Information Office of the Chinese State Council, which handles media requests on behalf of the Chinese government, and the International Department of the Communist Party of China did not respond to requests for comment.
The 61-year-old diplomat headed the Communist Party body responsible for managing relations with foreign political parties. Since taking office in 2022, he has travelled to more than 20 countries and met with officials from over 160 countries.
The senior official's busy schedule, particularly his meetings with former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, fuelled expectations that the former ambassador and ministry spokesman was preparing to become the future foreign minister.
His detention marks the highest-level investigation involving an official since China ousted its former foreign minister Qin Gang in 2023, who was also one of President Xi Jinping's protégés, following rumours of an extramarital affair.
In recent weeks, the Chinese leader himself has been at the centre of rumours and media reports speculating about a gradual loss of power at a time of deep internal turmoil in the country. In reality, the president is said to be following the main international issues, as evidenced by last week's phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin ahead of the 15 August summit on Ukraine between Moscow and Washington.
Born in the north-eastern province of Jilin, Liu graduated in English from Beijing Foreign Studies University and studied international relations at Oxford, before taking up his first post as a translator with the Foreign Ministry. The senior official served in China's mission to the United Kingdom and later as ambassador to Indonesia and the Philippines.
During his time as ministry spokesman, he was known for his improvised humorous comments while making a no-frills defence of China's interests.
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30/07/2007
