BEIJING: China’s veteran diplomat, Wang Yi, has made his first statement on Friday after being reappointed as foreign minister. In his statement, he pledged to deepen partnerships with other countries and protect China’s sovereignty.
Wang Yi was named foreign minister again on Tuesday, replacing Qin Gang, who had been in the role for only seven months. Qin Gang’s sudden and mysterious one-month absence raised questions about transparency, and the ministry stated that he was off work due to unspecified health reasons.
First Statement of China’s Foreign Minister Yi
In his first comments after returning to the position, Wang Yi expressed his ministry’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with other nations and actively participating in the reform of global governance. He also emphasized the firm resolve to safeguard China’s sovereignty, security, development, and interests.
Qin Gang was appointed as foreign minister in December 2022 but had not been seen in public since June 25 when he met with visiting diplomats in Beijing. Wang Yi, who previously held the foreign minister’s post from 2013 to 2022, has now returned to the position and is also the director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission.
