china Announces Leadership Change in International Department Following Diplomat’s Disappearance
BEIJING – China’s Communist Party (CCP) has appointed Liu Haixing as the new head of its International department, replacing Liu jianchao, who has not been seen publicly since late July. The change, noted on the CCP’s website Tuesday, was made without official proclamation. Liu Jianchao‘s profile has been removed from the department’s website.
liu Jianchao, a highly-regarded official fluent in English and educated at Oxford University, previously held key positions including service in China’s UK mission and was widely considered a potential candidate for the next Foreign Minister. He was reportedly detained upon returning from an overseas trip.
The CCP’s International Department is responsible for managing relations with foreign political parties and socialist states. Liu Jianchao had recently concluded a visit to the UK and frequently engaged with foreign dignitaries.
His disappearance marks the most high-profile vanishing of a diplomat since the removal of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang in 2023. Qin Gang has also not been publicly seen since his dismissal.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Liu Jianchao is under inquiry for alleged corruption and violations of party discipline. He previously served within China’s Central commission for Discipline Inspection, the CCP’s anti-corruption agency. A deputy of Liu’s, Sun Haiyan, was briefly questioned in August but has since resumed public duties.
this personnel shift occurs amidst a broader pattern of senior Chinese officials being removed from public life. Former defence Ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe were both expelled from the CCP in 2024 following corruption investigations within the People’s Liberation Army.
As Xi Jinping assumed leadership in 2012, CCP inspectors have reportedly disciplined over 6 million individuals for corruption and other offenses. Those removed from power may face either political and social exile or potentially, harsh criminal penalties. Liu Haixing is now seen as a potential successor to current Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
