China’s diplomatic landscape has shifted dramatically yet again, as Liu Haixing, a veteran diplomat regarded as President Xi Jinping’s trusted “security man,” has been appointed head of the Communist Party’s influential International Department. The move, announced on October 1, 2025, comes in the wake of two high-profile scandals that have rattled the upper echelons of China’s foreign policy establishment and fueled speculation about the fates of key figures behind closed doors.
According to the Associated Press and Wall Street Journal, Liu Haixing, 62, steps into the role previously held by Liu Jianchao, who has not been seen in public since late July. Liu Jianchao’s sudden disappearance has sparked rumors of disciplinary detention, a scenario not unfamiliar in recent years as President Xi’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign continues to reshape the Communist Party’s ranks. The International Department, often described as the Party’s diplomatic arm, is tasked with forging ties with political parties across the globe—a mission that has gained renewed urgency as China seeks to expand its international influence amid growing global tensions.
Liu Haixing’s resume reads like a roadmap through the corridors of Chinese and European diplomacy. Between 2009 and 2012, he served as minister at the Chinese Embassy in France. Notably, he had earlier studied public administration in France, an experience that reportedly shaped his approach to international relations. Upon his return to Beijing, Liu advanced to become assistant foreign minister and director-general of the Department of European Affairs, cementing his status as a key player in China’s engagement with the West. His most recent post was as executive vice-director of the General Office of the National Security Commission of the Communist Party’s Central Committee—a top ruling body that signals his deep integration into China’s security apparatus.
The timing of Liu Haixing’s appointment is anything but routine. It follows a string of leadership crises at the highest levels of China’s foreign policy institutions. Liu Jianchao, who had led the International Department since June 2022, was widely considered a rising star and a possible candidate for foreign minister. He was an active figure on the world stage, traveling extensively as part of China’s post-pandemic diplomatic push. But after returning from a work trip abroad in late July 2025, he vanished from public view. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that Liu Jianchao has been detained for questioning as part of a disciplinary investigation—though Chinese authorities have remained tight-lipped, fueling further speculation and uncertainty.
This latest disappearance is reminiscent of the June 2023 vanishing of then-Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who was removed from his post after just seven months. Qin’s predecessor, Wang Yi, was quickly reinstated. According to the Wall Street Journal, an internal party investigation later found that Qin Gang had engaged in an extramarital affair during his previous tenure as Beijing’s ambassador to Washington. The abrupt nature of these high-level shakeups has left diplomats and analysts alike questioning the stability and transparency of China’s foreign policy leadership.
For observers outside China, the International Department may seem like just another government agency. In reality, it plays a unique and sometimes opaque role in Beijing’s global strategy. The department is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with political parties around the world, not just governments. This allows China to exert influence and gain insights across a wide spectrum of international actors, from ruling parties to opposition groups. As the Associated Press explains, the International Department’s work is central to China’s efforts to cultivate political goodwill and expand its soft power, particularly in regions where official diplomatic channels may be less accessible or effective.
Liu Haixing’s appointment is notable not only for his extensive diplomatic background but also for his reputation as a trusted confidant of President Xi. According to Table.Media, Liu is seen as Xi’s “security man,” a signal that security concerns and party discipline are likely to remain front and center in China’s international outreach. His experience navigating the complexities of European politics could prove invaluable as Beijing seeks to manage its often-fraught relationships with the West, especially amid ongoing tensions over trade, technology, and human rights.
The leadership turmoil at the International Department is just the latest chapter in a broader pattern of sudden disappearances and disciplinary actions targeting high-ranking officials. Since taking office in 2012, President Xi has waged a relentless anti-corruption campaign that has ensnared more than 6 million officials, according to official figures cited by the Associated Press. While the campaign has been lauded by some as a necessary measure to root out graft, critics argue that it has also served as a tool for Xi to consolidate power and sideline potential rivals. The lack of transparency surrounding these investigations has only added to the sense of intrigue and uncertainty.
“Xi Jinping has led a relentless campaign of disciplinary purges since his appointment in 2012. More than 6 million officials have been punished for corruption and misconduct, though critics say he has also used the campaign to remove some of his opponents and consolidate power,” noted the Associated Press. The recent disappearances of Liu Jianchao and Qin Gang have reignited debates about the true motivations and consequences of these purges, both within China and abroad.
For Liu Haixing, the stakes are high. As head of the International Department, he will be responsible for navigating a complex web of international relationships at a time when China’s global ambitions are under intense scrutiny. His background in European affairs suggests a pragmatic approach to diplomacy, but the shadow of recent scandals and ongoing disciplinary probes may limit his room for maneuver. Some analysts believe that his close ties to Xi Jinping could position him as a contender for the foreign minister post in the future, though such predictions are fraught with uncertainty given the current climate.
Meanwhile, the fate of Liu Jianchao remains shrouded in mystery. His sudden absence has left a leadership vacuum and raised uncomfortable questions about the internal workings of the Communist Party’s disciplinary apparatus. The pattern of abrupt removals and opaque investigations has become a hallmark of Xi’s tenure, leaving both Chinese officials and foreign observers guessing about who might be next.
As China continues to assert itself on the world stage, the appointment of Liu Haixing underscores the delicate balance between discipline, security, and diplomacy that defines the country’s approach under Xi Jinping. The coming months will reveal whether Liu can steer the International Department through these turbulent times—or whether more surprises lie ahead.
For now, China’s diplomatic corps finds itself at a crossroads, with new leadership, lingering scandals, and a global audience watching closely for the next twist in the story.
