China Replaces Foreign Minister Qin Gang After Month-Long Absence

Qin Gang, state councilor and foreign minister of China, walks off stage after delivering a speech during the opening ceremony of the Lanting Forum in Shanghai on April 21, 2023. Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images

China on July 25 removed its newly appointed foreign minister Qin Gang, ending speculation about his future after his month-long unexplained absence.

Top diplomat Wang Yi replaced Mr. Qin to become China’s foreign minister, according to state media outlet Xinhua.