Economic growth has dipped sharply as China continues to struggle with an unbalanced recovery from the Covid pandemic. China’s economy slowed sharply in the second quarter, growing 4.7% year over year, down from 5.3% in the first. Beijing had replaced Qin as foreign minister in July 2023 without explanation, seven months after he took the job. China politics watchers say Thursday’s announcement suggests that the reasons for Qin’s removal as foreign minister may not have been serious enough to warrant other disciplinary action. Li became China’s shortest-serving defense minister in October, when he was ousted after seven months in that role.

Source: Wall Street Journal July 18, 2024 14:16 UTC