China replaces high-level diplomat after reported detention

"China's ruling Communist party (CCP) has replaced the head of its powerful international department two months after he disappeared from public life. Liu Jianchao, an influential official who had been widely tipped to be the next foreign minister, was reportedly detained while returning from an overseas trip in late July. He has not been seen publicly since. Liu's profile on the CCP's international department website has been replaced by one of Liu Haixing, a former director of the foreign ministry's European department."

"The CCP's international department handles relations with foreign political parties and socialist states. Liu Jianchao frequently met foreign dignitaries and had recently visited the UK. He is fluent in English and studied international relations at Oxford University, served in China's mission to the UK and was widely tipped to be the next foreign minister. He is the most high-level diplomat to go missing since China ousted its former foreign minister Qin Gang in 2023."

Liu Jianchao disappeared from public life in late July and has not been seen publicly since, with reports saying he was detained while returning from an overseas trip. The CCP replaced his profile on the international department website with that of Liu Haixing, a former director of the foreign ministry's European department, without official announcement. Liu Jianchao is fluent in English, studied international relations at Oxford, served in China's mission to the UK, and had been widely tipped to be a future foreign minister. The Wall Street Journal reported an investigation into alleged corruption and party-discipline violations. A deputy, Sun Haiyan, was reportedly questioned but later reappeared. A recent pattern shows several senior officials removed from public life, including former defence minister Li Shangfu in 2023, and Liu Haixing may now be a likely candidate to succeed Wang Yi in a future reshuffle.

Read at www.theguardian.com