Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has been removed from his post and replaced by Central Foreign Affairs Commission chief Wang Yi. After Chinese President Xi Jinping, Wang now holds China's two senior most foreign policy positions. He will represent both the Chinese nation and the Chinese Communist Party.
On paper, Xi has thus restored order to his foreign policy over Qin's disappearance. Qin, who was China's ambassador to the United States prior to becoming foreign minister, has not been seen in public since June 25. Beijing has evasively refused to explain the reason for Qin's disappearance and subsequent removal from office.
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In contrast, Wang is a trusted confidante of Xi. Wang is also well known to his foreign counterparts around the world. That said, Wang's combining of his Central Foreign Affairs Commission duties and those of the foreign minister's office pose a new challenge for Beijing. Namely, the challenge that Wang is seen by many foreign diplomats as the antithesis of an effective diplomat.
Consider, after all, that most nations select their ranking foreign minister on the basis of three factors: the ability to explain and defend their nation's foreign policy, the ability to earn foreign support for their nation's agenda, and their possession of a modicum of charisma. Wang certainly accomplishes the first task, well regarded by Xi for his forceful defense of China's expansive foreign policy agenda. Wang's charisma and his ability to earn foreign support are far less certain, however. As shown by his many dour-faced photographs alongside foreign counterparts, Wang doesn't exactly come across as a joyful public servant.
It's also worth noting that Wang's formative experience in the Chinese foreign ministry is that of a Japan and Taiwan specialist. In turn, because of China's painful history with Japan and its deep ideological sensitivity over Taiwan, Wang's diplomatic impulse is towards hawkish intractability. Numerous diplomats from various nations have told me that Wang is a maestro of Beijing's penchant of listing off grievances during diplomatic meetings. These aggressive presentations make Xi happy but do little to foster cooperative spirit. On the contrary, this Chinese Communist strategy is personally draining and professionally discourteous. Even Russian diplomats, who share a love for listing grievances at the start of meetings, are generally willing to eventually engage in back and forth discussions.
Beijing's challenge in this regard?
It is slowly learning that economic influence is no longer always sufficient to secure political support. Beijing needs to be able to persuade foreign governments to align with its interests. It needs to earn favor. That requires diplomats with charisma like China's new ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng. While a forceful defender of CCP orthodoxy, Xie showed at the Aspen Security Forum last week that he at least knows how to smile, laugh and make a joke.
Wang? Not so much. Time will tell if Xi's appointment is the safe looking but ultimately self-defeating bet.