Mumbai, September 19: According to the Wall Street Journal, China removed former Foreign Minister Qin Gang from his office after an inquiry revealed that he had an affair and fathered a child while serving as US ambassador. The daily stated on Tuesday that top officials were warned in August that a Communist Party investigation into Qin revealed 'lifestyle issues', citing persons acquainted with the matter that it did not explain. In the language of Chinese officials, such word typically refers to some form of sexual misbehaviour.

Two of the people alleged the affair resulted in the birth of a kid in the United States. The investigation is now concentrating on whether the scandal jeopardised national security, with Qin's cooperation. China is embroiled in an ideological conflict with the United States, its main economic and geopolitical opponent, which has prompted Beijing to step up its national security efforts to protect itself from external threats. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka's Ousted President, Applies for US Citizenship Restoration: Media Report.

China removed Qin from his ministerial office in July, only seven months after he began, making his tenure the shortest in that position. Qin's departure was not explained, and his predecessor Wang Yi resumed the office. The incident cast doubt on President Xi Jinping's decision-making abilities and the stability of the administration in charge of the world's second-largest economy. The present inexplicable absence of Defence Minister Li Shangfu, amid media accusations that he is being investigated for corruption, has reignited those fears. Liz Truss Becomes New UK Prime Minister, Beats Rishi Sunak to Succeed Ousted Boris Johnson. 

Qin most certainly acquired access to Xi while serving in that capacity. He was seen with the Chinese leader in 2017 at a meeting with then-US President Donald Trump in Beijing. Qin was assigned to Washington in 2021, while he was still relatively unknown outside of diplomatic circles and the Beijing press corps. He shown a flare for public relations by openly attending a baseball game and riding in a Tesla Inc. with billionaire Elon Musk.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 19, 2023 04:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).