It’s a good day for China’s diplomats as foreign policy chief lands seat on Politburo
Promotion of Yang Jiechi to highest ranks of power signals a shift in Beijing’s view of international relations, observers say
The elevation of China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi to the Communist Party’s top echelon of power is an unequivocal sign of President Xi Jinping’s ambitions for the country as a rising global power, diplomatic pundits said.
The State councillor and head of China’s foreign policy establishment was promoted to the 25-member Politburo on Wednesday, making him the most powerful foreign affairs official since Qian Qichen, a vice-premier and foreign policy guru under Jiang Zemin, who retired in 2003.
The move not only recognises Yang’s ability and personal contribution to implementing Xi’s assertive foreign policy, but also provides a boost to China’s diplomatic establishment as the country seeks to expand its interests and influence in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, pundits said.
Ma Zhengang, a former Chinese ambassador to Britain, said it was good for China’s diplomats to see the official directly responsible for diplomatic affairs being promoted as it highlighted the importance the top leadership placed on foreign affairs.
“It’s recognition of Yang personally and the entire foreign policy establishment in the cause of China’s rise to global importance,” he said.
“We are seeing an unprecedented transition of China’s role, which will not be confined to domestic interests but demonstrate more interest in having a greater say on global issues.”
