Chinese senior officials were informed that the country's former foreign minister, who was removed from his post nearly two months ago, engaged in an extramarital affair and fathered a child during his time as Beijing's top envoy to Washington, The Wall Street Journal reported.
China removed outspoken foreign minister Qin Gang from office in July, about a month after he dropped out of sight amid speculation over his personal affairs and political rivalries. He had held the position only seven months.
The Journal on Tuesday reported that senior Chinese officials were told that an internal Communist Party (CCP) investigation found that Qin, once considered a trusted aide to leader Xi Jinping, engaged in an extramarital affair that led to the birth of a child in the U.S., two people told the Journal.
The CCP's investigation is continuing, focused on whether the affair or other conduct by the 57-year-old Qin might have compromised China's national security. Qin apparently is cooperating with the probe.
The names of the woman and the child were not disclosed to the party officials, and the Journal reported it couldn't confirm their identities.
Qin remains listed among the five state councilors of China's cabinet, The State Council.
Amid China's intensifying competition with the U.S. and its allies, Beijing is seeking to eliminate any security vulnerabilities.
Upheaval of government and military high levels "would suggest political instability in China at a time when stability is desired due to the economic slowdown," said Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, the Journal reported.
"It also calls into question whether Xi is truly in control of the overall situation."
The Journal reported that scrutiny of the party's senior ranks, insiders say, is zeroing in on officials involved in dealing with foreigners and the top brass in the Chinese military in charge of ensuring the armed forces' capacity to fight.
Reuters reported Sunday that the disappearance of China's defense minister Li Shangfu is the latest in a string of upheavals in the country's top ranks and is stoking uncertainty about Xi's rule as an internal security clampdown trumps international engagement.
Li, who mainly is responsible for military relations with other countries, earlier this month was taken away by authorities for questioning, the Journal reported.
The commander and political commissar of the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, which oversees China's nuclear arsenal, were both dismissed in July with no reason given publicly, the Journal reported.
The appointments of the senior diplomatic and military officials were all approved by Xi.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.