China replaces senior diplomat as questions persist on his whereabouts

China has named Liu Haixing, a diplomat with experience in European affairs, at the top of its International Department, state media said Wednesday. He replaces Liu Jianchao, who has not been seen in public since July amid speculation he has been detained over disciplinary reasons.

The International Department is the Communist Party’s diplomatic arm, tasked with establishing connections with political parties in other countries. Liu Haixing, 62, spent much of his career serving in a variety of diplomatic positions in Europe. Between 2009 and 2012, he was a minister with the Chinese Embassy in France, where he had earlier studied public administration, according to his resume, posted on the Foreign Ministry’s website.

Upon his return to Beijing, he served as assistant foreign minister and director-general of the Department of European Affairs.

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