Fired Chinese foreign minister 'had affair and fathered child' while US ambassador

Qin Gang is rapidly rising in the Communist Party's rankings, a rise that appears to have ended. Photo: Reuters/Thomas Peter

China's former Foreign Minister Qin Gang was removed from office in July after he reportedly fathered a child during an extramarital affair while serving as ambassador to the United States.

Senior Chinese officials were told last month that Mr. Qin was fired because of a “lifestyle issue,” a euphemism for sexual harassment, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The revelations were the result of an internal investigation by the Communist Party, sources told the newspaper.

Officials were also briefed. reported that Qin's affair led to the birth of a child in the United States, although neither the identities of the woman nor the child were disclosed.

Qin is now reportedly cooperating with investigators who are focusing on whether his behavior put him at risk threat to China's national security.

The magazine also reported that the party is taking a closer look at interactions and relationships between senior officials and foreigners amid growing tensions between Beijing and the West.

The Chinese government, however, has yet to publicly explain why Mr. Qin was withdrawn from public attention and then removed from his post, claiming only that he was absent «for health reasons.» » />Qin, seen here with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has not been seen in public for some time, with the government saying it was due to 'health reasons' Photo: Reuters/Leah Millis

Mr Qin has risen quickly through the party ranks–first as a trusted and loyal aide to Chinese Prime Minister Xi Jinping, he was then given important positions, including as China's envoy to the United States and then as foreign minister, a post he held for only seven months.

His predecessor, Wang Yi, was reappointed foreign minister in what appears to be a confusing game of musical chairs among China's political elite.

Under Xi Jinping, China's elite politics have become increasingly opaque.

Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has also disappeared in recent weeks, and there have been rumors of possible corruption charges related to the purchase of military equipment.

Such personnel changes in the top ranks of the party are not good comments about Xi Jinping, who is still in the first year of his unprecedented third term.

It also comes as China, the world's second-largest economy, struggles. with a significant economic slowdown.

But as Mr. Xi has already spent a decade as China's leader, bringing political opponents to their knees and consolidating his power, it remains unclear whether he will be weakened by the situation.