Wang Yi (politician)

Wang Yi 王毅
Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China
Incumbent
Assumed office 16 March 2013
Premier	Li Keqiang
Preceded by	Yang Jiechi
Director of Taiwan Affairs Office
In office 1 June 2008 – 16 March 2013
Leader	Hu Jintao
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
Relations	Qian Jiadong (father-in-law)
Alma mater	Beijing International Studies University Georgetown University China Foreign Affairs University

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Wang.

Wang Yi (Chinese: 王毅; born 19 October 1953) is the Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China. A professional diplomat, Wang formerly served as Vice Foreign Minister, ambassador to Japan, and director of the Taiwan Affairs Office.

Early life and education

Born in Beijing, Wang was sent to Northeast China after graduating from high school in September 1969. He served in Northeast Construction Army Corps in Heilongjiang Province for 8 years. In December 1977, Wang returned to Beijing, and in the same, was enrolled in the department of Asian and African language of Beijing International Studies University (BISU), studying Japanese language. He graduated in February 1982, with a bachelor's degree.

Career

Upon graduation, Wang was sent to the Asian section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and began his career as a diplomat. In September 1989, he was sent to the Chinese Embassy in Japan and served there for 5 years. When he returned to China in March 1994, Wang was appointed as vice section chief of Asian section of the Ministry and was promoted to section chief the next year. From August 1997 to February 1998, Wang was a visiting scholar at institute of foreign relations of Georgetown University in the United States. Soon after his return, he was promoted to Minister assistant and the director of office of policy research. From September 1999, Wang studied international relations at China Foreign Affairs University and obtained a master's degree. In February 2001, Wang was elevated to deputy Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in charge of Asian affairs. He was then the youngest deputy Minister.

In September 2004, Wang was appointed as the ambassador to Japan and he served in this post until September, 2007. In June 2008, Wang succeeded Chen Yunlin as the director of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of PRC.

Wang has been a member of 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in session between 2007 and 2012 and the current 18th Central Committee insession between 2012 and 2017.

On 16 March 2013, Wang was appointed minister of foreign affairs after he was approved by the Congress.

Personal life

Wang's wife is the daughter of Qian Jiadong, the foreign affairs secretary of Zhou Enlai.