World

China’s Communist Party Shuffles Leadership: What Does the Unexpected Appointment Mean?

Liu Haixing replaces Liu Jianchao as China‘s international dept. head. Jianchao’s whereabouts are unknown.

September 30, 2025, 12:37 PM

Officials seated in a large hall with red curtains and potted plants

Officials of the Communist Party of China are seated at a session in the Great Hall of the People. By Mirko Kuzmanovic / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

Liu Haixing, 62, has been appointed as the new head of the Chinese Communist Party’s international department.

Liu Haixing replaces Liu Jianchao, 61, who has not been seen publicly for two months, with reports suggesting he was detained upon his return from a work trip.

The leadership change highlights the opaque nature of high-level personnel shifts within China’s political system.

The Story So Far

The unexpected appointment of Liu Haixing as the new head of the Chinese Communist Party’s international department follows the unexplained two-month disappearance and reported detention of his predecessor, Liu Jianchao, after a work trip. This sudden leadership change in a key organ responsible for managing the party’s foreign political relations highlights the opaque and often secretive nature of high-level personnel shifts within China’s political system.

Why This Matters

The unexpected appointment of Liu Haixing, with his background in international relations and security, to lead the Chinese Communist Party’s international department suggests a potential shift in China’s diplomatic approach, possibly emphasizing security aspects or European ties. Concurrently, the unexplained disappearance and rumored detention of his predecessor, Liu Jianchao, underscore the opaque and potentially volatile nature of high-level personnel changes within China’s political system, which could introduce uncertainty into its future engagement with foreign political entities.

Who Thinks What?

The Chinese Communist Party appointed Liu Haixing as the new head of its international department, replacing Liu Jianchao.

The whereabouts of Liu Jianchao remain unknown, with sources indicating he was detained upon his return from a work trip.

The leadership change highlights the opaque nature of high-level personnel shifts within China’s political system.

The Chinese Communist Party has unexpectedly appointed Liu Haixing, 62, as the new head of its international department, replacing Liu Jianchao, 61. The department is responsible for managing the party’s relations with foreign political entities. The change occurred on Tuesday, though the exact whereabouts of Liu Jianchao, who has not been seen publicly for two months, remain unknown.

Liu Haixing previously directed the foreign ministry’s European department and served as a senior director within a influential party commission overseeing national security. He also studied in Paris during the 1980s, bringing a background in international relations and security to his new role.

Prior to his disappearance from public view, Liu Jianchao reportedly concluded a work trip to Singapore, South Africa, and Algeria on July 30. Sources previously indicated that he was detained upon his return. The party’s international department has not yet responded to inquiries regarding Liu Jianchao’s situation.

This leadership change within a key party organ responsible for external engagement highlights the opaque nature of high-level personnel shifts within China’s political system.