Staff changes in Chinese Foreign Ministry give rise to hope that Beijing will endeavour to mend fences with the West and stop military conflicts in the world.
Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng, a Foreign Ministry official who publicly defended Russia after the invasion of Ukraine, has been fired from the ministry.
Le Yucheng worked in Soviet times, and then became number three in Chinese Foreign Ministry when Russia and China were actively getting closer. Le joined the foreign ministry in the 1980s, in a department that oversaw ties with the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc. He worked at the Chinese embassy in Moscow twice, and later served as the ambassador to Kazakhstan. The mere fact that he worked in the Soviet Union makes his close long-term cooperation with the Kremlin more than likely. His public statements often reflect Moscow’s stance.
There’s a decent chance that Moscow and Beijing are sharing intelligence.
Russia benefits from tense relations between Beijing and the West to add to anti-Western sentiments in China, to prevent them from rapprochement, as it feeds Beijing with false information.
After being fired, he was appointed deputy head of Chinese State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.
With Beijing completely removing Le Yucheng from the Foreign Ministry, the Communist Party probably reveals its concern over China’s too close relations with Russia, which has damaged Beijing’s ties with the West and the whole world economy, having invaded Ukraine.
China needs to show distance from Moscow to look constructive and sane for global community.Chinese Foreign Ministry today needs leaders more inclined to promote relations with the United States and the European Union, as Russia’s policy and aggression have significantly damaged Beijing’s interests.
On the one hand, China is obviously interested in economic cooperation with Russia. On the other hand, however, relations with the Kremlin and the tacit approval of the war in Ukraine harms China, as it calls into question its ability to compete under international law. Most countries, including the EU, Africa, and Latin America, are keen in forming bilateral relations with Beijing, but its attitude towards Russia’s occupant policy and tacit approval of aggression creates additional barriers to such cooperation.
Russia has lost support of most economies, and neglect of Russian war crimes in Ukraine plays against Beijing, as it sides with evil. But China is sensitive to how it’s viewed. China wants to be a “panda”. It is very important for them. The PRC is seeking today to absorb Taiwan by diplomacy and coercion. They use economic pressure. It is not always legal, sometimes aggressive, but not military. China’s policy is not to capture, but to absorb, with war scenario likely at a certain point. With a view to absorb, Beijing needs a reputation, which looks bad today, as China supports Russian aggression and plays together with Moscow to discredit and wipe out the role of UN Security Council.
As some European economies do not dare to break off economic relations with Russia, they declare their position candidly. With that background, China’s stance looks destructive, as it encourages war crimes and sets aside international law.
China, actually, has unique opportunity to raise its geopolitical profile at the expense of Russia, taking its place both in Europe and Asia.
It’s real for Beijing to expand economically to Russian Far East within next 1.5-2 years, with access to some essential natural resources. China’s geopolitical ambitions, however, call for solidarity with the West on fundamental issues of world order and rules of the game.
Le Yucheng’s resignation may signal and launch joint geopolitical effort by China and the West. Beijing is unlikely to embrace democracy, but its more important effort could be to make the world respect international norms and UN standards again.
Le Yucheng was considered one of the main candidacies for the post of Chinese Foreign Ministry head, instead of 68-year-old Wang Yi. The latter could be promoted to a politburo seat, replacing the retiring 72-year-old Yang Jiechi.
So, this resignation looks like a part of a major political reshuffle in the run-up to the party congress and comes as Beijing is locked in a narrative war with the West.
The appointment could also mean he has to retire when he turns 60 next year – the official retirement age for vice-ministerial roles.
Le’s departure from the foreign ministry also raises the question of who will succeed Wang as foreign minister. Wang is expected to leave the ministry after two five-year terms.
Liu Jieyi, a veteran diplomat and head of the Taiwan Affairs Office, and Ma Zhaoxu, who now ranks first among the foreign vice-ministers, are front runners, along with Liu Haixing, deputy director of the National Security Commission’s general office.Earlier this month, Liu Jianchao, 58, was named as the head of the party’s International Liaison Department, which interacts with overseas political parties.
