The world watched as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang held crucial negotiations five weeks ago in Beijing.
However, anyone looking for information about that significant event on the website of China's Foreign Ministry will be disappointed because that meeting—and all of Qin's activities as foreign minister—have been completely removed from the record as a result of a bizarre leadership change on Tuesday that saw Qin abruptly replaced by his predecessor Wang Yi, as reported by CNN.
Away From Public View
After disappearing from public view in late June without a clear explanation, there had been weeks of concerns and rumors about Qin's fate. The shocking removal was approved by a key authority within China's rubber-stamp legislature.
The most recent development in the story, the total erasing of Qin's brief, six-month time as foreign minister and Wang's replacement by him after a promotion late last year, only serves to exacerbate the mystery.
In a Disciplinary Probe?
In China, where the political system is notoriously transparent and has only become more so under Chinese leader Xi Jinping, unanswered queries regarding official decision-making are common.
Senior Chinese officials have in the past vanished from view only to reappear months later with claims that they were the subject of a covert disciplinary probe.
However, Qin's recent circumstances-who is regarded as Xi's trusted aide, one of China's most recognizable officials as the face of its foreign policy, and a former ambassador to the US-have brought those aspects of China's political system into the public eye.
The incident's timing, which comes as China has been promoting its leadership as a desirable alternative to that of the West, significantly heightens the potentially negative optics.
Last year, Qin was appointed to the position of foreign minister over more qualified applicants, which was considered as an indication of Xi's profound trust in him. Xi had filled China's leadership with his close supporters as he cemented power and began an unprecedented third term as president.
Tuesday night, as news of the leadership changes spread via Chinese official media, the country's extensive system for policing public discourse on current affairs sprang into high gear.
On the well-known Chinese social media platform Weibo, Qin's removal-related hashtags were banned, including at least one attempt to elude censorship by discussing the decision under a hashtag for a television program set at the time of the historical Qin dynasty in China.
However, only posts from verified accounts, primarily from state media or government institutions, were accessible when searching for Wang's appointment on the site on Wednesday morning. User-generated comments were also hidden.
Further information regarding the causes of Qin's departure has not yet been made public, and because of this information gap, rumors and speculation have proliferated.
When questioned about why Qin missed a diplomatic event earlier this month, a ministry official gave the excuse of "health reasons."
When questioned why records of Qin's term as foreign minister were removed during a routine ministry briefing on Wednesday, a spokesperson declined to comment on why Qin was replaced and claimed the ministry website was "updated in accordance with the relevant regulations."
Qin currently seems to have kept his State Councilor position, a high-level administration position with domestic responsibility.
Read also: China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang Fired; Wang Yi Reassumes Former Post
Qin's Absence May Be a Political Move
However, elite Chinese political watchers claim that the lack of explanation for his replacement and his removal from the ministry website indicates political motives. If a formal announcement of an investigation into him occurs in the coming months, these motives may become evident.
Related article: Qin Gang Missing: Rumors Spread of Chinese Official's Potential Whereabouts
