Researchers believe that the abrupt dismissal of China’s foreign minister Qin Gang after only 7 months in office may make improving the country’s weakening relationship with the United States more difficult.
However, considering that President Xi Jinping eventually decides China’s foreign policy, experts claimed Qin’s unconventional, high-profile departure — and quick replacement by former foreign minister Wang Yi is not expected to lead to a bigger course adjustment.
Yun Sun, head of the China Project at the Stimson Center, an organization based in Washington, DC, stated that “Xi’s current intention to enhance relations with the United States stays the same.” Given that the decision-maker continues to be the same, “the elimination of Qin Gang will fail to have a significant effect on Chinese foreign policy.”
Yun claimed that the choice of Wang to take Qin’s place showed a desire for consistency. Wang, then 69, held the position of foreign minister from 2007 to 2022 when he resigned.
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