China ousts foreign minister as world grasps for clues as to why

Handpicked by chief Xi Jinping to be China’s international minister late final yr, Qin Gang — a fluent English speaker and savvy political operator — was anticipated to assist information Beijing by an more and more tumultuous relationship with the US.

As a substitute, simply over half a yr into the job, he disappeared, stoking rampant hypothesis about his destiny. Was he ousted from the publish? Did a rumored affair with a outstanding tv anchor or dissatisfaction amongst some within the ruling Communist Get together result in his downfall? Or was he simply sick?

China’s prime legislative physique didn’t reply these questions late Tuesday, nevertheless it did resolve an important one: Qin is out, faraway from his publish as international minister precisely one month since his final public look.