After China’s leader, Xi Jinping, catapulted Qin Gang into the post of foreign minister in December, Mr. Qin set a frantic pace, meeting dozens of foreign officials as he pressed Beijing’s agenda in a divided, war-stricken world.
Then Mr. Qin went silent.
He was recently scheduled to meet the foreign policy chief of the European Union in Beijing, but China canceled that visit.
Outside China, Mr. Qin’s lengthy absence has set off speculation on the internet about his health and status.
Abrupt disappearances of senior Chinese officials from public life are often seen as potential signs of trouble.
Persons:
Xi Jinping, Qin
Organizations:
European Union
Locations:
Vietnam, Russia, Sri Lanka, Beijing, China, Jakarta, Indonesia