Qin Gang named new Chinese foreign minister

KABUL (Pajhwok): China’s ambassador to United States, Qin Gang, has been appointed as the country’s new foreign minister.

Chinese state media, confirming an earlier report by the South China Morning Post, said Qin, 56, would lead the foreign ministry in Beijing.

He replaces 69-year-old Wang Yi, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Friday. It said Wang would remain state councilor in charge of diplomacy.

The appointment was anticipated after Qin was promoted to the powerful Central Committee at the ruling Communist Party’s national congress in October.

Wang was promoted to the 24-member Politburo and is expected to replace 74-year-old Yang Jiechi as President Xi Jinping’s top foreign policy aide.

hz/sa/mud