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Bloomberg
China appointed its ambassador to the US, Qin Gang, as the new foreign minister, as the nation shows signs of moving back to a lower-key diplomatic strategy after a growing backlash against its confrontational style.
The move was announced by China National Radio, which said the decision was made at a meeting of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee.
Qin replaces Wang Yi, who is likely to take the Communist Party’s top foreign policy position. Qin, who was sent to the US in July 2021, has walked a fine line between defending Beijing’s interests and displaying a softer side to Chinese diplomacy.
During his year in Washington, the 56-year-old envoy has thrown out the first pitch at St Louis Cardinals game, taken a ride in a Tesla with Elon Musk, and most recently shot free throws at a Washington Wizards basketball game.
The one-time Foreign Ministry spokesman has delivered some of China’s most moderate messages on hot topics: He has said Beijing would have tried to stop the invasion of Ukraine had it known Russia’s plans and he’s played down the risk of a war with Taiwan. Qin’s appointment coincides with a push by Xi to mend frayed ties with the US and its allies.