Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang was officially removed from his position on Tuesday following a month-long disappearance, bringing about an abrupt end to his meteoric rise within the ranks of China's opaque political system.
Confirmation of his replacement by Wang Yi - who previously occupied the position for nearly 10 years - comes after weeks of silence, with Qin's own ministry refusing to clarify his whereabouts, and wild speculation, including theories about grave political or personal missteps and serious illness.