▲ North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (R) talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang (6th from L) during their meeting in Pyongyang on Oct. 9, 2025, in this photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency the next day. Liu Haixing (6th from R), the new head of the Chinese Communist Party's international department, is also seen at the meeting. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

N Korea-China-diplomacy

Head of Chinese Communist Party's int'l department appears in talks between Kim, Li Qiang

By Yi Wonju

SEOUL, Oct. 10 (Yonhap) -- The new head of the Chinese Communist Party's international department, Liu Haixing, was seen accompanying Chinese Premier Li Qiang at talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in what could be his diplomatic debut since his appointment last month, according to photos released by the North's state media Friday.

The appointment of Liu Haixing came as his predecessor, Liu Jianchao, who had been widely considered China's next foreign minister, has been out of public sight since late July, sparking speculation that he was detained over disciplinary reasons after returning from a work trip.

Photos released by the North's Korean Central News Agency show Liu Haixing accompanying the Chinese premier during the talks with the North's Kim in Pyongyang the previous day.

Liu was also seen accompanying the Chinese premier when he walked down the hallway with Kim along with other officials and was seated next to him during the meeting.

The visit marked the first trip by China's No. 2 leader to Pyongyang in 16 years.

Liu Jianchao, a veteran diplomat, had headed the party department that manages ties with foreign political parties since 2022 before his disappearance.

The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that he was taken away by authorities for questioning, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Observers say if his removal is confirmed, it would mark one of the most high-profile cases involving a senior Chinese diplomat since the abrupt ouster of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who also vanished from public view in June 2023 for unknown reasons and was removed from his post the following month.

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