Wang Yi to represent China at ASEAN meet, deepening mystery over foreign minister’s whereabouts

His absence has not gone unnoticed.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin was asked last Friday about an article in US political news website POLITICO that cited speculation that health issues may be behind Qin’s absence. He said he had “not heard about” the report.

Qin was supposed to meet European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell last week in Beijing but the meeting was pushed back after China informed the EU that the dates were “no longer possible”, an EU spokesperson said.

The EU was informed of the postponement just two days before Borrell’s scheduled arrival on Jul 5, according to a source familiar with the plans.

Wang Yi, who is the foreign policy chief for the Chinese Communist Party, ranks above Qin, who as the foreign minister is the government’s foreign policy chief.