In a surprising turn of events, China's former foreign minister, Qin Gang, has resigned from his seat in the national legislature after being dismissed from office last July. Qin, who had been missing from public view since June, served as foreign minister for only seven months before his sudden disappearance.
The 57-year-old's resignation was accepted by the Tianjin Municipal People's Congress ahead of the upcoming annual parliamentary session. Official websites no longer list Qin as a member of the State Council, China's cabinet, indicating a significant shift in his political status.
Qin's dismissal came amidst a series of high-profile ousters within the Chinese political landscape, including former defense minister Li Shangfu and other top military officials. These developments are seen as part of a broader effort to address security vulnerabilities amid China's escalating competition with the United States and its allies.
The upcoming session of the National People's Congress, China's rubber-stamp parliament, is expected to focus on the country's economic challenges. Despite a 5.2% expansion last year, China's economy is projected to face significant slowdowns due to issues such as a property crisis, high youth unemployment, and substantial local government debt.
Reports suggest that Qin's removal from office may have been linked to an extramarital affair he had during his tenure as ambassador to the U.S. The investigation into his conduct was reportedly centered on potential implications for China's national security.
These recent developments underscore the complexities of China's political landscape under President Xi Jinping's leadership, characterized by tightened control and efforts to address internal and external challenges.
