Is everything okay in China? Why is President Xi Jinping getting his own close associates arrested?

News Topical, Digital Desk : There is chaos in China's diplomatic department once again. It is reported that another senior diplomat has been detained, raising questions about the country's foreign policy and top leadership.

According to sources, China's former ambassador to Singapore and deputy minister of the Communist Party's international department Sun Haiyan was detained in early August. A few days ago, China's potential foreign minister candidate Liu Jianchao was also questioned.

Sun Haiyan is the first female deputy minister of the Communist Party's international department. She is being linked to Liu's investigation. Three sources have confirmed this, but it is not clear why the two diplomats are being questioned. The sources gave this information on the condition of keeping their identity secret because the matter is extremely sensitive.

Questions arising on Jinping's foreign policy

Liu Jianchao was detained after he returned from a tour of Singapore, South Africa and Algeria. His home was also searched in early August.

Sun Haiyan's name first came into the headlines when she appeared at a function organized by the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing on August 1. After this, no public appearance of her was recorded.

This is already a challenging time for China's foreign policy. Tensions are rising with the US over trade and geopolitical influence. In such a situation, the detention of prominent diplomats like Sun and Liu has further deepened the uncertainty. The profiles of both are still present on the website of the International Department, but they could not be contacted. It is also not clear whether both are still in custody or not.

Who is Sun Haian?

Sun Haiyan is a 53-year-old diplomat. She started her career in the Communist Party's international department in 1997. She held many important responsibilities such as the head of the bureau handling relations with Southeast Asian countries and the spokesperson. In 2008, she was also a district party committee official in Zibo city, Shandong province.

Sun has a doctorate in law from Peking University and has also studied at Kyushu University in Japan. He was posted as ambassador to Singapore from May 2022 to July 2023. At the end of his tenure, he organized a grand reception for 500 people at a luxury hotel in Singapore, which was reported in the Chinese media.

Growing suspicion in Chinese politics

Liu Jianchao's detention is being seen as the biggest diplomatic disaster since the sudden disappearance of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang in 2023. Qin Gang, considered close to President Xi Jinping, was removed from his post without any explanation.

China's State Council Information Office and International Department did not respond to Reuters' questions on the matter. The detention of Sun and Liu has not only raised questions about China's foreign policy but also showed how much uncertainty remains within the country's top leadership.

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