Senior Chinese Diplomat and Top Foreign Minister Contender Vanishes Mysteriously
Senior Chinese diplomat Liu Jianchao, seen as a top contender for foreign minister, has vanished amid a secretive investigation, sparking speculation about turmoil in China’s foreign policy leadership.
Liu Jianchao, a prominent Chinese diplomat widely seen as a leading candidate for foreign minister, was detained in early August amid a secretive investigation by authorities, five sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Liu, 61, was taken in for questioning after returning from a work trip that included visits to Singapore, South Africa, and Algeria, which concluded at the end of July. Two of the sources said authorities also searched his home, but the reasons for his sudden detention have not been disclosed.
According to Reuters, Liu’s disappearance is the most unusual among senior diplomats since the abrupt removal of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang — a close ally of President Xi Jinping — who vanished from public view in 2023 before being formally ousted.
Since 2022, Liu has headed the Communist Party’s International Department, the body responsible for ties with foreign political parties. His official profile remains active on the department’s website, but he was passed over for foreign minister during the annual government reshuffle despite widespread expectations among experts and diplomats.
Liu stood out for his frequent international travel and open style of communication — a sharp contrast to his more reserved predecessors. At a July event, he expressed cautious optimism about U.S.-China relations, calling the prospect of war between the two nations “unthinkable.”
Foreign diplomats who interacted with him praised his confidence, fluent English, and ability to hold spontaneous, relaxed conversations. One noted that Liu delivered China’s messages in a way that resonated with international audiences — and that his aides were confident his promotion to foreign minister was only a matter of time.
During a 2024 trip to the United States, Liu met with numerous senior officials, including then–U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in what was seen as a significant test of his stature.
As Foreign Ministry spokesperson earlier in his career, Liu was known for an unorthodox style — combining sharp wit with firm defense of China’s positions — which gave him a unique public profile. A source at the ministry described him as well-liked and respected, with notable diplomatic skill and a warm, friendly personality — qualities that, ironically, may have led to his downfall and disappearance.