LChina's Foreign Minister, Qin Gang, has been noticeably absent from public appearances for three weeks, raising speculation about his health and status.

This mysterious absence has sparked rumors and fueled conversations among diplomats and political insiders in Beijing.

While the Chinese government acknowledged that Qin would not attend a meeting in Jakarta due to health reasons, it has provided no further details or updates.

This secrecy surrounding senior officials' personal lives is characteristic of the Chinese Communist Party's aversion to sharing bad news.

However, this lack of transparency can undermine China's efforts to control the narrative and raises questions about the bureaucratic weight of the foreign ministry.

If it is revealed that Qin has fallen out of favor with the party's leadership, it could reflect poorly on President Xi Jinping, who fast-tracked Qin's rise in the political ranks. Despite the speculation, some believe that Qin's absence could simply be due to an illness and recovery.

Qin's rise to foreign minister marked him as one of Xi's trusted lieutenants, responsible for implementing China's vision as a global power. His absence has resulted in China sending another official, Wang Yi, to attend meetings in his place.

#China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang has not been seen in public for three weeks, an unusually long absence for a high-profile role during a busy period of diplomatic activity in #Beijing, sparking intense speculation in a country known for its political opaqueness.

— Jonathan Bass (@jonsbass) July 17, 2023

Overseas Chinese commentators have speculated that an affair with a television personality might be behind Qin's absence, which has become significant news in Taiwan.

With Beijing's reticence to provide information, concerns have been raised over shrinking access to information in China. The secrecy surrounding top leaders' health and personal lives only fuels speculation and calls for more transparency.

The official policy of secrecy, particularly regarding top leaders' health, has faced criticism in the age of social media, and maintaining a balance between information disclosure and respecting the public's right to know is crucial for official credibility.