One month has passed since China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang made his last public appearance on June 25.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a news conference on Monday that there is no information to provide regarding the matter.
When a reporter asked if there had been any impact on China’s diplomatic activity, Mao replied that there is steady progress.
Qin’s fate is drawing attention in the United States.
Asked about the matter at an event, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said all he knows is that Secretary of State Antony Blinken was supposed to meet Qin at a conference in Indonesia hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations earlier this month.
Sullivan said Blinken instead met China’s top diplomat Wang Yi, who was attending the meeting in place of Qin.
Sullivan said there is no information other than that.
China’s Foreign Ministry had announced that Qin would have to skip the ASEAN conference in Indonesia for health reasons.
There is speculation online and reports by Taiwanese media that claim that Qin is under investigation regarding his relationship with a TV presenter in Hong Kong.
He is believed to be close to President Xi Jinping.
Qin was appointed foreign minister last December, after he served as ambassador to the US.
In March, he was elected as a state councilor — a post equivalent to vice premier.
His predecessor Wang Yi was elected as a state councilor five years after he became foreign minister.
