China Detains Senior Diplomat Liu Jianchao for Questioning

Liu Jianchao, a senior Chinese diplomat considered a leading candidate for the position of foreign minister, has been detained by Chinese authorities for questioning after returning to Beijing from an overseas trip in late July. Liu, who heads the Communist Party department overseeing foreign political party relations, has been active internationally, visiting over 20 countries and meeting officials from more than 160 nations, including former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. His detention marks the highest-level diplomatic inquiry since the 2023 removal of former foreign minister Qin Gang, who was dismissed amid scandal. Liu, aged 61, has a background that includes ambassadorships to the Philippines and Indonesia, service in China's mission to the UK, and a reputation as a forthright foreign ministry spokesman. The reasons for his detention remain unclear, with Chinese authorities not providing immediate comment. Liu's questioning raises speculation about internal political dynamics within China's diplomatic ranks.