Xi Jinping Removes Longtime Aide And Former Foreign Minister Qin Gang Amid Alleged Extramarital Affair

The former Foreign Minister of China, Qin Gang, has been ousted following an internal investigation by the Communist Party that revealed his engagement in a long-term extramarital affair during his tenure, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Qin, once a trusted aide to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, was stripped of his foreign minister title in July without explanation. Senior officials were informed last month that Qin’s downfall was due to “lifestyle issues,” a term often used by the party to refer to sexual misconduct.

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Notably, the investigation also uncovered that Qin’s affair resulted in the birth of a child in the U.S. The identities of the woman and child have not been disclosed. The probe is now focusing on whether Qin’s actions may have compromised China’s national security.

Despite his dismissal, the State Council, China's cabinet, still lists Qin as one of its five state councilors. The Foreign Ministry and the State Council Information Office have not responded to inquiries about the matter.

The scrutiny of Qin’s conduct and subsequent removal comes as China seeks to address potential security vulnerabilities in light of its intensifying competition with the U.S. and its allies.

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Qin Gang Image From Wikimedia Commons