Chinese envoy to US Qin Gang appointed new Foreign Minister

ISLAMABAD: Mr Qin Gang, currently serving as the Chinese ambassador to the United States, has been appointed as China’s new foreign minister on Friday.

With the appointment of the new foreign minister, the process of formation of a new government in China has commenced.

Qin is the 11th Chinese ambassador to the United States, assuming office in July 2021. Prior to his ambassadorship, he was Chinese vice foreign minister.

Wang Yi was elected as one of the 24 members of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee recently.

The 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) will kick off its inaugural annual session in the capital Beijing. This will be its first session after the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) handed President Xi Jinping an unprecedented third term as its head in October.

Xi, 69, is the first Chinese leader to helm the party for three consecutive terms since its founding over 100 years ago.

The 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference will begin its first session a day earlier on March 4.

With Premier Li Keqiang’s tenure coming to end, the upcoming session is expected to bring about changes in China’s government.

It is expected that Mr Li Qiang would replace Mr Li Keqiang as Premier. Li Qiang who is the second highest-ranking member of the CPC Politbureau behind Mr Xi Jinping.

Mian Abrar
Mian Abrar
The writer heads Pakistan Today's Islamabad Bureau. He has a special focus on counter-terrorism and inter-state relations in Asia, Asia Pacific and South East Asia regions. He tweets as @mian_abrar and also can be reached at [email protected]

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