Recently, former Chinese ambassador to the United States Qin Gang was appointed as China’s Foreign Minister, replacing former Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who was supposed to step down in March when the CCP holds its “Two Sessions” parliamentary-style meeting. China observers say this signals that power transitions between various factions within the ruling party are now in an awkward and confusing period, with replacements being announced significantly in advance of the Two Sessions meeting—breaking common practice within the regime.
At the 38th meeting of the CCP’s 13th NPC Standing Committee, which closed on Dec. 30, 2022, the party removed Wang Yi from his duties as foreign minister and appointed Qin Gang. Chinese leader Xi Jinping also signed a decree approving the appointment the same day.
