Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has been noticeably absent from the public eye for the past 12 days, raising speculations and concerns about the reasons behind his extended absence. This is highly unusual for the typically busy and prominent senior official, who has been involved in various diplomatic engagements and meetings.
One significant event that Qin was expected to attend was a meeting with the European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell. However, China unexpectedly postponed the meeting without providing any further details. This sudden change of plans has led to speculation in Brussels that Qin might be facing health issues, which could be the reason for the delay.
When asked about these reports, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin stated that he had not heard anything regarding Qin's health. However, the absence of any official explanation or information regarding Qin's whereabouts has only fueled more curiosity and concern.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website, Qin's last official engagement took place on June 25, where he met with officials from Sri Lanka, Russia, and Vietnam. He also participated in an event where Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley. However, since then, there has been little to no public visibility of Qin.
Furthermore, a lunch meeting scheduled between Qin and ambassadors from the European Union to China in late June was abruptly canceled, causing surprise among the ambassadors. This adds to the mystery surrounding Qin's current situation and raises questions about the reasons for his absence.
There are several upcoming diplomatic engagements where Qin's presence would be expected, such as a meeting with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta next week. However, it remains uncertain whether Qin will be able to attend these events.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, mentioned that information about China's participation in the ASEAN meetings will be released in a timely manner. However, the lack of transparency regarding Qin's absence and undisclosed details of Chinese leaders' health contribute to the uncertainty surrounding his situation.
It is important to note that China has historically been guarded in disclosing information about its leaders' health. President Xi Jinping, for example, only made his vaccination status public in July 2022, making him the last member of the Group of Twenty leaders to do so during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Qin's absence continues without any official explanation, the speculation and concern surrounding his situation persist. The international community awaits further updates on the status of the Chinese Foreign Minister and the reasons behind his extended absence from public view.