The United States officially extended an invitation to China’s newly reappointed foreign minister, Wang Yi, to visit Washington

This invitation comes after the abrupt removal of Wang’s predecessor, Qin Gang, from his position by Beijing, leading to speculation about the reasons behind his departure.

Wang Yi, a seasoned diplomat, was reappointed as China’s foreign minister last week, taking over from Qin Gang, who had only served in the role for seven months before his mysterious absence raised questions about transparency. The Chinese foreign ministry cited unspecified health reasons for Qin’s absence.

The invitation to Wang was conveyed during a meeting at the State Department between U.S. Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Kritenbrink, and Yang Tao, Director General of the North American and Oceania Affairs at China’s Foreign Ministry.

The State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, confirmed that the invitation intended for Qin Gang was transferred to Wang Yi, but it remains unclear whether the Chinese side has officially accepted the invitation.

Constructive talks

Both sides had “candid, in-depth, and constructive” exchanges of views on China-U.S. relations, as well as global and regional issues of mutual interest during the consultation between Kritenbrink and the Chinese delegation, according to the Chinese embassy in Washington.

The meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Qin Gang in June was described as “candid, substantive, and constructive,” and it resulted in Blinken inviting Qin to visit Washington for further discussions. In the absence of Qin, Blinken later met with Wang Yi during a regional meeting in Jakarta.

Wang Yi has previously served as China’s foreign minister from 2013 to 2022, a period characterized by strained relations with the United States.

As the invitation stands, the visit is expected to take place, though a specific date has not been scheduled yet.