Wang Yi (Chinese: 王毅; pinyin: Wáng Yì; born October 19, 1953) is a Chinese diplomat and politician. He currently serves as the Director of the Foreign Affairs Commission Office under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee and as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Wang was born in Beijing. He studied Japanese at Beijing International Studies University. After graduating, he joined the Asian section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1989, he was assigned to work at the Chinese embassy in Japan and remained there for five years. From 1997 to 1998, he studied as a visiting scholar at Georgetown University in the United States. After returning, he became an assistant minister and director of the Office of Policy Research. In 2001, he was promoted to Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, responsible for Asian affairs. From 2004 to 2007, he served as the Chinese ambassador to Japan.
Between 2008 and 2013, Wang worked as the Director of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office. In 2013, he was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. From 2018 to 2023, he also held the position of State Councilor of China. In 2022, he became a member of the CCP Politburo. At that time, Qin Gang took over as foreign minister. In 2023, after Qin Gang was removed from the role, Wang Yi was reappointed as foreign minister.
Early and personal life
Wang was born in Beijing. After finishing high school in September 1969, he was sent to Northeast China. Later, he worked in the Northeast Construction Army Corps in Heilongjiang Province for eight years.
In December 1977, Wang returned to Beijing and was admitted to the department of Asian and African Languages at Beijing International Studies University the same year. He studied Japanese at the university and graduated in February 1982 with a bachelor's degree. He can speak English and Japanese fluently.
Wang is married and has one daughter. His wife, Qian Wei, is the daughter of Qian Jiadong, a former secretary in the diplomatic service of Premier Zhou Enlai.
Early career
After graduating from university, Wang was assigned to the Asian section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by his father-in-law, Qian Jiadong. He began his career as a diplomat there. In September 1989, he was sent to the Chinese embassy in Japan and worked there for five years. When he returned to China in March 1994, Wang was appointed as assistant section chief of the Asian section of the foreign ministry. He became section chief the following year. For his work, he was recognized as an outstanding member of the Communist Party. From August 1997 to February 1998, Wang studied as a visiting scholar at the Institute of Foreign Relations at Georgetown University in the United States. After returning, he was promoted to assistant minister and director of the office of policy research. From September 1999, Wang studied international relations at China Foreign Affairs University and earned a doctoral degree. In February 2001, Wang was appointed as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, responsible for Asian affairs. This series of promotions made him one of the youngest officials at his level.
In September 2004, Wang was named China's Ambassador to Japan. He held this position until September 2007. In June 2008, Wang took over from Chen Yunlin as director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of China. One attendee noted that during his speech, he praised the Communist Party as the central authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and mentioned Zhou Enlai's role in establishing the institution.
Foreign minister and CCP foreign chief
On 16 March 2013, during the first meeting of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), Wang was named Minister of Foreign Affairs, taking over from Yang Jiechi.
On 1 January 2023, Wang became the director of the Office of the CCP Central Foreign Affairs Commission, making him China's top diplomat under CCP leader Xi Jinping. On 25 July 2023, Wang returned to his role as foreign minister after Qin Gang was removed from the position following a month of not being seen in public events. Wang's return marked him as the first person to hold the foreign minister post twice.
China's foreign policy under Xi Jinping has become more confident, sometimes called "Wolf warrior diplomacy." In March 2014, when Wang first spoke as Foreign Affairs Minister, he said the goal was to "strive for achievements so the world hears about Chinese solutions and voices." In 2017, Wang's leader introduced the "Two Guidances," which state that China should help shape a fairer global order and protect international security. Wang compared China to a "leading goat" guiding changes in how the world is governed. Experts say Wang's work shows a shift from hiding China's strength to being more active in global affairs. The One Belt One Road initiative has been central to China's foreign policy during this time.
Wang often meets with foreign officials before Xi Jinping meets with other world leaders.
Wang has promoted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a key place for China to work with many countries. He sees the SCO as a way to create a world where many nations, including those in Africa, have more influence.
In September 2024, Wang spoke at the United Nations General Assembly, criticizing "unilateral bullying" and trade limits. He also criticized Israel's actions in the Israel–Hezbollah conflict. Earlier, Wang had spoken out against U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan and trade limits on China. During his visit to the UN, Wang met with Brazilian leaders to discuss the war in Ukraine. China and Brazil then led a group of 20 countries to talk about ending the conflict. In a security council meeting, Wang said the war should not be used as a reason to punish countries. In February 2025, Wang again spoke at the United Nations, supporting international organizations.
In April 2025, Wang attended the BRICS summit to support a world with many strong nations. However, India did not send a representative because of tensions with Pakistan. Wang urged BRICS countries to work together on fair trade rules and support the World Trade Organization.
In June 2025, at the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation, Wang met with African leaders to carry out Xi Jinping's promise to remove tariffs on all African countries (except Eswatini, which supports Taiwan). China is Africa's largest trading partner. At the 2025 Two Sessions, Wang said China would support African countries' development.
At the 2017 ministerial meeting of the China–Arab States Cooperation Forum, Wang said building ports and railways was important for China's relationship with Arab countries.
In 2025, Wang visited Pakistan and Afghanistan to expand One Belt One Road projects in both countries. He said China would support Pakistan in agriculture, industry, and mining. These projects go along with efforts to stop groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army and Turkistan Islamic Party from harming Chinese businesses.
After working with CNPC for years, Niger removed top Chinese executives, saying there were unfair pay differences between local and Chinese workers. In 2025, Niger's leader met with Wang and said China was a key partner. The year before, China gave Niger a $400 million loan for oil after attacks disrupted CNPC's operations in Niger and Benin. Niger is trying to control its oil and uranium industries, which China has invested in heavily.
As Minister, Wang managed programs like public celebrations of Chinese-Nigerian relations. In 2025, Wang visited Chad and Nigeria to support African nations. In Chad, he narrowly avoided an attack on the capital and later spoke in Nigeria about the need for safety in all areas.
On 15 April 2018, Wang met with Japan's foreign minister, Taro Kono, marking the first official visit by a Chinese foreign minister to Japan since 2009.
In January 2025, Wang said Japan should improve relations with China and called its current foreign policy outdated. He also wanted Japan to change its stance on Taiwan and build better ties with the Shigeru Ishiba government.
On 23 November 2025, during a diplomatic crisis between China and Japan, Wang said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments about Taiwan were "shocking" and "crossed a red line." He warned China would "resolutely respond" and said all countries must help stop Japan from becoming militaristic again.
In September 2025, Wang met with Cho Hyun and talked about U.S. tariffs on South Korea and China. He said South Korea and China should work together to protect free trade. China has helped North and South Korea communicate before, and Wang was asked to start new talks between the two countries. A news source suggested this meeting could help prepare for Xi Jinping's visit to South Korea after many years.
On 3 July 2023, at the 2023 International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation in Qingdao, Wang told Japanese and South Korean leaders to work with China to "prosper together, revitalize East Asia, revitalize Asia, and benefit the world." He also said, "Most Americans and Europeans can't tell China, Japan, and South Korea apart," and added, "No matter how blonde you dye your hair or how sharp you shape your nose, you can never become a European or American. You can never become a Westerner. You must know where your 'roots lie.'"
Wang has focused on issues like the South China Sea and China's relationship with Taiwan. Before 2016, he called the current situation in Taiwan a "political farce." A former official praised him for being direct. In 2025, he continued China's policy toward Taiwan, urging the U.S. to support peaceful reunification. He also pushed to say that UN Resolution 2758 settled the status of Taiwan as part of China. Taiwan, the U.S., and some European countries disagree with this view. Some EU members have unofficial ties with Taiwan, which Wang said were a problem. A news source said these ties had grown stronger before Wang's comments. Wang said Taiwan must be called "Taiwan, Province of China" and that those who support Taiwanese independence are trying to "interfere in China’s internal affairs, divide the country, and disrupt cross-strait stability."
In March 2021, Wang…
Party Activity
In March 2018, Wang was promoted to the position of State Councilor by the National People's Congress.
In October 2022, after the first meeting of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Wang became a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party. At that time, he was 69 years old, which was older than the informal retirement age of 68. On December 30, 2022, Qin Gang took over as foreign minister.
In March 2023, after the first session of the 14th National People's Congress, Qin Gang also became State Councilor, succeeding Wang in that role.
Awards and decorations
- Hungary: Commander's Cross and Star of the Hungarian Order of Merit (2021)
- Kyrgyzstan: Medal of the Order of Danaker (2016)
- Mongolia: Medal of the Order of the Polar Star (2004)
- Pakistan: Hilal-e-Pakistan (2015)
- Uruguay: Medal of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, received twice in 2016 and 2018