Concerns rise over China foreign minister Qin Gang’s absence, adding to mystery surrounding black box.

The mystery three-week absence of China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang is raising concerns over shrinking access to information in China. Qin, a rising star in Chinese politics, has not been seen in public since June 25. His absence comes after a rapid rise in elite Chinese politics, serving as US ambassador for less than two years before being elevated to foreign minister. Qin’s previous longest absence was only eight days, making his current absence highly unusual. He has skipped major diplomatic engagements and has been missing from state media. China’s lack of transparency and limited access to information have drawn criticism and hindered investors’ ability to assess the economy.

With major diplomatic events approaching, including the United Nations General Assembly and a Group of Twenty summit in September, China needs to clarify who will represent the country on the world stage. The absence of information surrounding Qin’s health status is fueling speculation and concern. China is notoriously guarded about the health of its officials, and extended absences can sometimes foreshadow the end of a career. The vacuum of information is exacerbating concerns about transparency in China.

China’s Foreign Ministry has been evasive when asked about Qin’s absence. Initially, officials claimed they had not heard about any health issues. Later, it was stated that Qin was absent due to a “physical condition,” without further explanation. The Foreign Ministry maintains that China’s diplomatic activities are proceeding as usual. Qin is still listed as foreign minister on the ministry’s website, but rumors have circulated about an extramarital affair, which the ministry denied knowledge of.

The lack of information and transparency surrounding Qin’s absence highlights the need for a balance between keeping operations running and respecting the public’s right to information. Disclosing information would improve official credibility and provide confidence to the private sector. China’s limited access to information, including court documents, academic journals, and expert networks, has hindered investors’ ability to assess the economy.

As China faces growing scrutiny and major diplomatic events loom, it has less than two months to clarify who will represent the country on the world stage. The absence of Qin, a rising star in Chinese politics, has raised concerns about access to information and transparency in the world’s second-largest economy.