Wang Yi | |
|---|---|
王毅 | |
.jpg) Wang in 2025 | |
| Director of theOffice of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission | |
| Assumed office 1 January 2023 | |
| General Secretary | Xi Jinping |
| Foreign Minister | Qin Gang Himself |
| Preceded by | Yang Jiechi |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| Assumed office 25 July 2023 | |
| Premier | Li Qiang |
| Party Secretary | Qi Yu |
| Preceded by | Qin Gang |
| In office 16 March 2013 – 30 December 2022 | |
| Premier | Li Keqiang |
| Party Secretary | Zhang Yesui Qi Yu |
| Preceded by | Yang Jiechi |
| Succeeded by | Qin Gang |
| State Councilor of China | |
| In office 19 March 2018 – 12 March 2023 | |
| Premier | Li Keqiang |
| 8th Director of theTaiwan Affairs Office | |
| In office 1 June 2008 – 16 March 2013 | |
| Premier | Wen Jiabao |
| Preceded by | Chen Yunlin |
| Succeeded by | Zhang Zhijun |
| Chinese Ambassador to Japan | |
| In office 26 September 2004 – 24 September 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Wu Dawei |
| Succeeded by | Cui Tiankai |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1953-10-19)19 October 1953 (age 72) Beijing, China |
| Political party | Chinese Communist Party (1981–present)[1] |
| Education | Beijing International Studies University (BLit) Nankai University (MEc) China Foreign Affairs University (PhD) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Diplomat |
| Signature | .svg) |
| Website | www.gov.cn/wangyi |
Wang Yi (Chinese:王毅;pinyin:Wáng Yì; born 19 October 1953) is a Chinese diplomat and politician who has been serving as Director of theChinese Communist Party (CCP)Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission Office since January 2023, and asMinister of Foreign Affairs of China since July 2023 (previously from 2013 to 2022).[2]
Wang is a member of the20th CCP Politburo. He previously served asState Councilor of China from 2018 to 2023, as Minister of Foreign Affairs of China from 2013 to 2022, as Director of the State CouncilTaiwan Affairs Office from 2008 to 2013, and asAmbassador of China to Japan from 2004 to 2007.
Wang was born inBeijing. After graduating from high school in September 1969, he wassent down toNortheast China.[3][4] He subsequently served in the Northeast Construction Army Corps inHeilongjiang Province for eight years.[3]
In December 1977, Wang returned to Beijing and in the same year was enrolled in the department of Asian and African Languages ofBeijing International Studies University. He studiedJapanese at the institution, graduating in February 1982 with a bachelor's degree. He is known to speak fluentEnglish and Japanese.[5]
Wang is married and has one daughter.[6] His wife, Qian Wei, is the daughter ofQian Jiadong [zh], a former diplomatic secretary toPremierZhou Enlai.[7]
Upon graduation from university, Wang was sent to the Asian section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by his father-in-law Qian Jiadong, where he began his career as a diplomat. In September 1989, he was sent to theChinese embassy in Japan and served there for five years.[3] When he returned to China in March 1994, Wang was appointed as vice section chief of the Asian section of the foreign ministry and was promoted to section chief the next year.[4][8] For his work in the section he received distinction as an outstanding communist party member.[4] From August 1997 to February 1998, Wang was a visiting scholar at the Institute of Foreign Relations ofGeorgetown University in theUnited States.[4][8] Soon after his return, he was promoted to assistant minister and the director of office of policy research. From September 1999, Wang studied international relations atChina Foreign Affairs University and obtained a doctoral degree. In February 2001, Wang was elevated to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, in charge of Asian affairs. This series of promotions made him consistently among the youngest officials at his level.[4]
In September 2004, Wang was appointed as China's Ambassador to Japan. He served in this post until September 2007. In June 2008, Wang succeededChen Yunlin as the director ofTaiwan Affairs Office of theState Council of China.[9] One attendee stated that his speech upon receiving this post celebrated the party as the center of the ministry of foreign affairs and referred to Zhou Enlai's founding of the institution.[4]
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On 16 March 2013, duringthe first session of the12th National People's Congress (NPC), Wang was appointedMinister of Foreign Affairs, succeedingYang Jiechi.[10]
On 1 January 2023, Wang was appointed as the director of theOffice of the CCPCentral Foreign Affairs Commission, making him China's top diplomat under CCP general secretaryXi Jinping.[11]
On 25 July 2023, Wang was reinstated as foreign minister after Qin Gang's dismissal from the post after a month–long absence from public engagements.[12][13] Wang's reappointment as foreign minister made him the first person to hold the post twice.[citation needed]
China's foreign policy under Xi Jinping has been described as increasingly assertive, even to the point of being dubbedWolf warrior diplomacy. In his inaugural press conference as Foreign Affairs Minister in March 2014, Wang characterized this new direction as "proactively striving for achievements to let the world hear of the Chinese solutions and Chinese voices."[14]: 85–86 In 2017, Wang's leader described the "Two Guidances", the principles that: (1) China should guide the global community in building a more just and reasonable world order, and (2) that China should guide the global community in safeguarding international security.[14]: 240 Following the "Two Guidances", Wang compared China as the "leading goat" in "guiding the reform of global governance."[14]: 240 Academics have characterized Wang's tenure as leading a shift away from the former policy ofhide your strength, bide your time to a more active role in foreign relations.[4] TheOne Belt One Road initiative has played a central role in China's foreign policy during this shift.[15]
Wang often meets with foreign counterparts in advance of potential meetings between Xi and other foreign leaders.[16][17]
As Minister he oversaw several of the ministries mass work initiatives such as the public celebration of Chinese-Nigerian relations.[4]
Wang has promoted theShanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as an important venue for China's multilateral diplomacy.[18][19] Wang sees the SCO as a way of fostering amulti-polar world order which will benefit China and the global south.[20][21][22]
In April 2025, Wang Yi attended theBRICS summit to show support for a multipolar world. However, India did not send a representative to the meeting due to ongoing hostility with Pakistan.[23] Wang particularly called for BRICS to cooperate on rules based trade and supporting theWorld Trade Organization.[24]
In June 2025, atForum on China–Africa Cooperation Wang Yi met with African leaders to implement Xi's announcement that China was dropping tariffs on all African nations expect Eswatini due to its support for Taiwan. China is Africa's largest trading partner.[25]
At the 2017 ministerial conference of theChina–Arab States Cooperation Forum, Wang emphasized that the development of ports and railways were an important part of exchanges betweenChina and the Arab countries.[26]: 87–88
In 2025, Wang took trips to Pakistan and Afghanistan to discuss expanding One Belt One Road programs in each country. Wang emphasized China's support for Pakistan in "agriculture, industry, and mining".[15] Economic programs in each country come alongside anti-terrorism efforts to prevent theBalochistan Liberation Army,Turkistan Islamic Party, and other organizations from disrupting Chinese business.[15][27]
On the evening of 15 April 2018, Wang was received by his Japanese counterpartTaro Kono, on the first such official visit of a foreign minister of China to Japan since November 2009.[28]
In a September 2025 meeting with Cho Hyun, Wang remarked on the US's tariff programs against South Korea and China. He said South Korea and China should work together to protect free trade. In the past, China has acted as an intermediary between North and South Korea. Again, Wang was requested to establish a new round of talks between the peninsular nations.South China Morning Post indicates this meeting may facilitate preparations for Xi to visit South Korea after more than a decade away from Seoul.[17]
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On 3 July 2023, at the 2023 International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation inQingdao, Wang made remarks during a speech towards the participating Japanese and South Korean audience where he called forJapan and South Korea to work together with China to "prosper together, revitalizeEast Asia, revitalize Asia and benefit the world" and said that "mostAmericans and Europeans can't tellChina,Japan andSouth Korea apart" and that "no matter howblonde you dye your hair, how sharp you shape yournose, you can never become aEuropean orAmerican, you can never become aWesterner." before further adding they must know where their "roots lie."[29][30]
Wang has focused on severalTerritorial disputes in the South China Sea and the PRC's relationship with Taiwan. As foreign minister and prior to 2016 he called for an end to the existing political situation which he further referred to as a "political farce". One former foreign department official praised him for speaking directly and to the point.[4] In 2025, he maintained China's policy towards Taiwan and encouraged the United States to support peaceful reunification. He also lead a push by the foreign ministry to frame UN resolution Resolution 2758 as having settled the government of Taiwan as subordinate to the PRC. Taiwan, the United States, and several European nations dispute this interpretation.[31] Some EU members have unofficial ties to Taiwan which Wang stated were problematic.South China Morning Post stated that these ties had deepened in the years preceding Wang's remark.[32] Wang maintained thatTaiwan can only be referred to as "Taiwan, Province of China" and those who supportTaiwanese independence attempt to "interfere in China’s internal affairs, divide the country and disruptcross-strait stability."[33]
In March 2021, Wang supported the decision to have only "patriots" rule Hong Kong, stating that "loving Hong Kong and loving the motherland are consistent requirements...in the past 24 years since Hong Kong's [handover], no one has cared more about the [SAR's] democracy, prosperity and stability than the central government."[34]
In October 2025, Wang Yi gave the inaugural presentation of theInternational Organization for Mediation.[35][36]
In 2018, Wang said the world should ignore "gossip" aboutXinjiang internment camps.[37] In March 2021, Wang said that "We welcome more people to visit Xinjiang - seeing is believing. This is the best way to debunk rumours."[34] However, journalists from the British broadcasterBBC claim to have been followed by unmarked cars, chased out of restaurants and shops, and compelled to delete footage while trying to report from Xinjiang.[38]
The2020–2021 China–India skirmishes lead to both sides increasing military presence along their border. In 2022, Wang visited for a meeting in which China attempted to frame the border issue in a broader context of bilateral development opportunities.[39] However, prior to the meet, Wang spoke against India's handling of its border dispute with Pakistan. India censured Wang and did not publicly acknowledge his visit.[40][41] China then refrained from diplomatic visits until Wang attempted to warm relations in 2025. He choose a similar message,
Regardless of the circumstances, both nations should view each other as partners rather than adversaries, handle differences with prudence and ensure that border disputes do not overshadow the larger bilateral relationship.[42]
Wang initiated a significant state visit to theMiddle East in December 2013 to visitIsrael andPalestine. He discussed with leaders of both countries the importance of the nuclear agreement withIran and the importance of the continued peace talks, saying "War does not solve the problems. Violence increases the hatred. The peace talks are the appropriate and the only path".[43]
In October 2023, during theGaza war, Israel'sMinistry of Foreign Affairs expressed "deep disappointment" over China's failure to condemn the Palestinian militant groupHamas.[44] In response, Wang Yi stated that inGaza, "Israel’s actions have gone beyond self-defense."[45] Wang responded with acall for ceasefire in Gaza.[46]
Wang Yi encouraged Israel to deescalate after its attacks in theIran–Israel war. In a call to his Israeli counterparts Wang advocated for diplomatic solutions and offered to broker talks. In his call to Iran, Wang supported Iran's right to secure sovereignty and stated Israel had violated the principles of UN Charter.[47] After Wang's calls Xi reiterated his message.[48]
During a joint news conference inOttawa on 1 June 2016, withCanadian Minister of Foreign AffairsStéphane Dion, Wang responded to Canadian reporter Amanda Connolly of online news siteiPolitics over a question she raised regardinghuman rights in China, saying "Your question is full of prejudice against China and arrogance ... I don't know where that comes from. This is totally unacceptable," and calling allegations of human rights violations in China "groundless accusations".[49][50][51]
Afterwards, Wang became an internet celebrity onSina Weibo. A fan club on Weibo devoted to Wang has more than 130,000 followers.[52]
During his first tenure as foreign minister, Wang helped facilitate the diplomatic recognition of the People's Republic of China byPanama in 2017, theDominican Republic andEl Salvador in 2018,[53] and theSolomon Islands in 2019,[54] with all four nations ceasing relations with theRepublic of China (Taiwan).[55][56]
It was reported that during Wang's visit toNorway in August 2020, he said that while China was the first country to report the existence of the virus to theWorld Health Organization, "it does not mean that the virus originated in China. Actually, for the past months, we have seen reports ... showing that the virus emerged in different parts of the world, and may have emerged earlier than in China".[57]
On 22 February 2021, Wang urged theadministration of US presidentJoe Biden to lift the sanctions on trade and people-to-people contact imposed by his predecessor,Donald Trump. At the Foreign Ministry forum onUS-China relations, he said that the US "must not interfere in the internal affairs of China".[58]
Wang criticized the speed and timing of thewithdrawal of the American-ledNATO forces fromAfghanistan and urged them to withdraw in a "responsible and orderly manner".[59]
Sino-American relations which took a turn for the worse in 2025 due to a trade war and the US increasing support for Taiwan. Wang met in June and September withMarco Rubio[60][61] andAdam Smith[62] to encourage further dialog that could seek stability in the China-US relationship.[61] Wang said "China and the United States are partners, rather than rivals and certainly not enemies".[62] However, when asked in March about how China will engage with thesecond Trump administration, he stated "no country should fantasise that it can suppress China and maintain good relations with China at the same time."[63]
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In his 2022 meeting with Wang at the SCO, Russian foreign ministerSergey Lavrov attended praised the "traditional friendship"between Russia and China.[19] Wang reaffirmed support for Russia, saying that China will "firmly support Russia, under the leadership of President Putin … to further establish Russia's status as a major power on the international stage".[64]
In December 2022, Wang defended China's position on theRusso-Ukrainian War and said that China would "deepen strategic mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation" with Russia".[65]
In February 2023, Wang announced his peace initiative for theRussian invasion of Ukraine at the59th Munich Security Conference.[66] Wang chose to have hisChargé d'affairesDai Bing [zh] not present his peace plan at the 18th plenary meeting of theeleventh emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly. He decided to have Dai mention his peace plan only by passing reference at the UN Security Council Briefing on Ukraine the next day, 24 February 2023.[67]
While the plan attracted support from Hungarian prime ministerViktor Orbán, NATO Secretary-GeneralJens Stoltenberg said that the plan "doesn't have much credibility because [the Chinese] have not been able to condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine."[68]
On 23 July 2024, the Ukrainian foreign ministerDmytro Kuleba visited China for talks ways to achieve apeaceful end to the war with Russia. This was the first such bilateral visit since 2012.[69][70]
In July 2025 Wang Yi allegedly told European diplomats in an unofficial meeting, that China does not want Russia to lose the war in Ukraine.[71][72] The diplomats reported, China fears the United States could focus more on Asia, once the conflict in Europe is over.[72][73] However, inChina and Russia, an expert notes that the Ukraine conflict strained China's support for their bilateral partnership.[74]
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In the summer 2025, Wang toured several European nations in preparation for the July 24 China-EU summit inAnhui.[75][76] Wang assured the EU that compliance with China's export controls would ensure steady access to the rare earth metals market that China dominates.[75][77] The week of the summit, the EU introduced sanctions on Suifenhe Rural Commercial Bank and Heihe Rural Commercial Bank.[78][79] According to theFinancial Times, the banks "used crypto transactions to facilitate the import of goods covered by existing EU sanctions".[78] The town ofSuifenhe has long had a special relationship with Russia. Wang personally attempted to intervene in the EU decision to protect the Chinese banks. After the banking sanctions passed, China retaliated with sanctions on two Lithuanian banks. Lithuania in particular has challenged China's foreign and Taiwan policies. Wang stated, "It is a warning against other EU countries that may also violate the one-China principle or attempt to drag China into the Ukraine issue as a scapegoat. These measures are intended to deter and counteract such provocations."[80][78] The summit was originally scheduled for two days with atypical access for EU leaders to Xi.[78][81] However, Xi cut the meeting to a single day and only met with European Commission PresidentUrsula von der Leyen.[81][82] The summit highlighted a limited partnership between the two massive economies.[81][82][71]
In the fall Wang visited several European countries to resume advancing China's foreign policies.[83][84] In Italy, he discussed China's commitment to what China sees as fair and unrestricted trade. China is looking to raiseforeign direct investment for itsfifteenth five-year plan. China's 2024steel glut had caused the EU to take protective trade policies for their steel industry.[85]
During Wang's tenure, China and Venezuela have deepened their ties. Venezuela was troubled byUS sanctions which Wang tried to mitigate through bilateral cooperation. He said Venezuela and China should work together to prevent hegemony from the global north.[86]
After several years of partnership withCNPC, Niger expelled top executives citing pay disparities between local and Chinese workers.Yaou Sangaré Bakary met with Wang and stated that China was a strategic partner for Niger. The previous year, China has extended a new US $400 million loan-for-oil to Niger after militants strained CNPC's operations in Niger and Benin. Niger is seeking tighter state control of their domestic oil and uranium industries that China is heavily invested in.[87]
In March 2018, Wang was promoted as aState Councilor by the NPC.[88]
In October 2022, following the 1st Plenary Session of the20th CCP National Congress, Wang became a member of thePolitburo of the CCP, even though he surpassed the informal retirement age of 68, being at the age of 69 at the time. He was succeeded as foreign minister byQin Gang on 30 December 2022.[89]
In March 2023, he was succeeded by Qin Gang as State Councilor afterthe first session of the14th National People's Congress.[90]
Hungary: Commander's Cross with Star of theHungarian Order of Merit (2021)[91]
Kyrgyzstan: Medal of the Order of Danaker (2016)[92]
Mongolia: Medal of theOrder of the Polar Star (2004)[93]
Pakistan:Hilal-e-Pakistan (2015)[94]
Uruguay:Medal of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, twice (2016 and 2018)[95][96]
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| Party political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Director of theOffice of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission 2023–present | Incumbent |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister of Foreign Affairs 2013–2022 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister of Foreign Affairs 2023–present | Incumbent |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by | Chinese Ambassador to Japan 2004–2007 | Succeeded by |
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 Qing dynasty1644–1912 |
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| Republic of China (Beiyang) 1912–1928 |
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 Republic of China (Nationalist)1928–1938 |
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 Republic of China (Collaborationist)1940–1945 | |
| Republic of China on Taiwan 1952–1972 |
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 People's Republic of China1973–present |
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