China removes foreign minister Qin Gang after mysterious absence

News Snapshot:

C hina has removed Qin Gang as foreign minister after a mysterious one-month absence barely half a year into the job. Qin, a former aide to President Xi Jinping, took over the ministry in December but has not been seen in public since June 25. The ministry has claimed he was off work for health reasons but gave no further details, prompting speculation over his disappearance. Beijing on Tuesday confirmed that veteran diplomat Wang Yi would take over as his successor. Wang, 68, previously held the post from 2018-2022 and filled in for Qin during his absence. No reason was...