China’s former foreign minister, who recently went missing from public view for over a month and was subsequently replaced, is now facing a mysterious erasure from parts of the Foreign Ministry’s website. Qin Gang, who was swiftly replaced by his predecessor Wang Yi, has been removed from official mentions on the ministry’s website and its social media accounts. This unprecedented removal has sparked intrigue and speculation about the reasons behind Qin’s disappearance.
No official explanation has been provided for Qin’s removal, with the Foreign Ministry only citing unspecified health reasons for his absence. Qin’s swift rise to the position of foreign minister under President Xi Jinping has made his online erasure all the more perplexing, leading analysts to doubt the health issue explanation.
This unusual situation has captured attention on Chinese social media, with users expressing surprise and skepticism about the sudden erasure of Qin’s record. Some have raised questions about the appropriateness of handling the situation in this manner.
The timing of Qin’s replacement comes at a sensitive period in China-US relations, as the two countries have recently re-established high-level communication amidst escalating tensions. Despite Qin’s removal, political analysts believe that diplomacy between the US and China is unlikely to be significantly impacted, as foreign policy decisions are primarily made by President Xi.
Searches for Qin’s name on the Foreign Ministry’s website returned no results, further adding to the mystery surrounding his removal. However, his name is still mentioned in some statements on the site, albeit not in prominent positions.
China’s internet censors have taken a selective approach to discussions about Qin Gang, with some search results being hidden and others left open for speculation. Chinese social media users continue to indulge in various theories and rumors about the reasons behind Qin’s disappearance, with one prevalent theory involving the possibility of an extramarital affair.
As of now, the true reasons for Qin’s removal and the subsequent erasure of his records remain unknown, leading to increased opacity in China’s political system and leaving room for continued speculation and intrigue.
