In a move that shocked political and diplomatic circles worldwide, Western media outlets including The Wall Street Journal and Reuters revealed that Chinese authorities have detained Liu Jianchao, one of the most prominent figures in China’s political establishment and widely regarded as a leading candidate for the position of Foreign Minister in the near future.
Liu, 61, heads the International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party and is well-known for his role in opening dialogue channels between Beijing and Washington. He has traveled extensively, from Singapore to Algeria, meeting high-profile officials, including former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. However, shortly after returning from an overseas tour in late July, he was taken in for questioning — with Beijing remaining silent on the reasons behind this unexpected move.
The development has triggered a wave of speculation: Is this related to internal power struggles within the ruling party? Or is the investigation part of a broader campaign to reshuffle China’s diplomatic corps, particularly after the dramatic ousting of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang in 2023?
Analysts believe the incident sheds light on deep-seated tensions at the top of China’s leadership, at a time when Beijing seeks to project itself as a stable diplomatic power. Meanwhile, international observers are left wondering: Is this merely a domestic matter, or is it a high-stakes power play where foreign policy and internal party politics collide?
With no official statement issued, uncertainty reigns, as the world watches to see whether Liu Jianchao will return to the political stage — or if this marks an abrupt end to his diplomatic career.
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