Diplomat from China potentially faces interrogation.
Chinese Diplomat Liu Jianchao Detained by Anti-Corruption Authorities
In a surprising turn of events, Chinese authorities have confirmed the detention of Liu Jianchao, a senior diplomat and former head of the international department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CCP), in late July 2025. Liu was taken away by anti-corruption officials for questioning after returning from overseas.
Liu Jianchao, a well-known figure in Chinese diplomacy, had been considered a frontrunner to become China’s next foreign minister. His detention has raised questions about his future role and the potential succession of 71-year-old Wang Yi, who currently heads the foreign affairs department.
Liu Jianchao's career in diplomacy spans over two decades, during which he has held various significant positions. He began his career at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an English translator, later ascending to the director-general of the information department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and its official spokesperson. Liu served as China's ambassador to the Philippines and Indonesia before being appointed as the head of the international department of the CCP in 2022.
During his tenure, Liu played a significant role in China's anti-corruption campaign led by President Xi Jinping. He also oversaw relations with foreign political parties and visited more than 20 countries, meeting with officials from over 160 states.
In January 2024, discussions in the US suggested that Liu would assume the post of Foreign Minister following the March session of the Chinese parliament. However, in the summer of 2023, speculation resurfaced that Liu would be the new head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), but Wang Yi was reappointed instead.
In the summer of 2023, another prominent figure in Chinese diplomacy, Qin Gang, the Chinese Foreign Minister, disappeared from public view and stopped participating in foreign trips. His resignation was announced in China, but no official explanations were given, with Western media reporting an extramarital affair as the reason for his fall from grace. After his resignation, Qin Gang was reported to be imprisoned, executed, or alive and working as the director of the World Affairs Press publishing house.
The exact reasons for Liu Jianchao's detention remain undisclosed, with no specific reason or official explanation given publicly by Chinese authorities so far. The detention was reported by The Wall Street Journal and widely covered by international media in early August 2025. The official grounds relate to anti-corruption investigations, but precise charges or allegations have not been disclosed as of the latest information available.
This lack of transparency is consistent with typical Chinese government practice on sensitive political or corruption cases. No further official statements clarifying the accusations or legal status of the detention have been found in the sources.
Liu Jianchao's profile seemed to appeal to the Americans, with many hoping he would revive traditional Chinese diplomatic norms. His detention, therefore, comes as a disappointment to those who were looking forward to a possible change in China's diplomatic approach.
This news is still developing, and further updates regarding Liu Jianchao's case and the future of China's foreign affairs department are awaited.
*Sources:*
- The Wall Street Journal
- Reuters
- South China Morning Post
- BBC News
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