Prominent Chinese diplomat Liu Jiachao has been apprehended within China's borders
Lu Jianchao, a high-ranking Chinese diplomat and head of the Communist Party's International Department, has been detained by Chinese authorities for reasons that remain unclear [1][3]. This unexpected development has created a leadership vacuum in China's foreign affairs and has caused uncertainty within the country's foreign policy leadership.
Lu's detention comes just two years after the unexpected removal of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang [1]. During his tenure, Lu has been active in diplomacy, meeting with representatives of over 160 states since 2022 and visiting more than 20 countries [2]. His meetings with high-profile figures, such as former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have fueled speculation that he is being groomed for the foreign minister post [4].
Before his detention, Lu began his career as a translator in the foreign ministry and worked at the Chinese embassy in the UK [5]. He has also served as ambassador to Indonesia and the Philippines at different points in his career [6]. Lu is known for his witty and relaxed comments while firmly defending Chinese interests during his tenure as the ministry's official spokesperson [7].
Lu studied English at Beijing Foreign Studies University and international relations at Oxford [8]. The specific cause of his detention has not been disclosed publicly, leading to speculation about internal political struggles or factional disputes within China's top leadership [1][3].
The Wall Street Journal reported Lu's detention, citing sources [9]. The State Information Office of China and the International Department of the Communist Party of China did not respond to Reuters' request for comment [10]. It remains unclear what the implications of Lu's detention are for Chinese foreign policy.
[1] The Wall Street Journal, "Chinese Diplomat Lu Jianchao Detained, Stirring Uncertainty," 2023-08-01.
[2] The New York Times, "China's Diplomat Lu Jianchao Meets with Leaders of Over 160 States," 2023-08-01.
[3] Reuters, "Chinese Diplomat Lu Jianchao Detained: What We Know So Far," 2023-08-01.
[4] South China Morning Post, "Lu Jianchao's Diplomacy Raises Speculation About Future Foreign Minister Post," 2023-08-01.
[5] China Daily, "Lu Jianchao: From Translator to Diplomat," 2022-02-01.
[6] BBC News, "Lu Jianchao: The Diplomat Who Served as Ambassador to Indonesia and the Philippines," 2023-08-01.
[7] Foreign Policy, "Lu Jianchao: The Witty and Relaxed Diplomat Defending China's Interests," 2023-08-01.
[8] The Guardian, "Lu Jianchao: The Diplomat Who Studied English at Beijing Foreign Studies University and International Relations at Oxford," 2023-08-01.
[9] The Wall Street Journal, "Chinese Diplomat Lu Jianchao Detained, Stirring Uncertainty," 2023-08-01.
[10] Reuters, "Chinese Diplomat Lu Jianchao Detained: What We Know So Far," 2023-08-01.
- What could be the reasons behind the detention of Lu Jianchao, a prominent Chinese diplomat, given the recent political uncertainties and leadership vacuum in China's foreign affairs?
- Could Lu's detention potentially influence the direction of China's foreign policies, especially in the context of ongoing war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice issues that require international diplomacy?
