Foreign Minister of China to Resign
After serving as China’s top diplomat for the past 10 years, Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, one of the architects of Beijing’s gradual reengagement with the U.S. after the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, announced today that he plans to resign.
“My age does not allow me to continue this job,” said Qian, who will be 70 in November, “so I plan to resign.” It is unclear whether Qian would retain his other title as vice premier of the State Council, China’s Cabinet, when a new government is formed here next week. In September he was reelected to the Chinese Communist Party Politburo, a position that will continue to give him clout in the power structure for the next five years.
There was no immediate announcement concerning his replacement as foreign minister. However, the top candidate for the job is Tang Jiaxuan, 60, a Japan specialist who has served as vice minister of foreign affairs since 1993.
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