US visit firms speculation Liu Jianchao will be China’s next foreign minister
- 6-day trip by the veteran party diplomat to coincide with the Taiwan election was a ‘smart move’ by Beijing, observers say
- Many believe Liu is in line to replace Wang Yi, who has been doing double duty since last year’s removal of Qin Gang
Liu, who heads the International Liaison Department, the Communist Party’s diplomatic arm, was not the first minister from the department to meet senior officials in the US, but his visit was an unusually high-profile one, and a “smart move” by Beijing, observers said.
Liu’s six-day mission to Washington, New York and San Francisco not only helped to tamp down spiralling tensions over Taiwan, it also boosted the international exposure of the man widely seen as a leading contender to become China’s next foreign minister.
Liu, 59, held talks with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior officials, and met a range of non-government figures, including academics, business leaders, media representatives and former officials.
Liu also met United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and attended an unofficial bilateral dialogue with US think tank the Asia Society, as part of a “Track 1.5” diplomacy effort to bring together government and non-government figures.
The visit made Liu – an aide to President Xi Jinping – the most senior Chinese official to visit the US since Xi’s summit with his counterpart Joe Biden in San Francisco two months ago.