China diplomat tipped as next foreign minister detained by authorities – report

Liu Jianchao, the envoy in charge of managing ties with foreign political parties, was reportedly detained in late July

Liu Jianchao, a senior Chinese diplomat widely seen as a potential future foreign minister, has been detained by authorities for questioning, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

Liu was taken away after returning to Beijing in late July from an overseas work trip, it reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.

China’s State Council Information Office, which handles media queries for the Chinese government, and the Chinese Communist party International Liaison Department did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Liu, 61, has led the Communist party’s body in charge of managing ties with foreign political parties. Since taking the role in 2022, he has travelled to more than 20 nations and met officials from more than 160 countries.