Xiao Qian (Chinese: 肖千; pinyin: Xiāo Qián; born November 1964) is a Chinese diplomat who is the current Chinese ambassador to Australia, in office since January 2022.[1] Previously he served as Chinese ambassador to Indonesia and before that, Chinese ambassador to Hungary.
Xiao Qian | |
|---|---|
肖千 | |
.jpg) Xiao in 2023 | |
| Chinese Ambassador to Australia | |
| Assumed office 7 January 2022 | |
| Appointed by | Xi Jinping |
| Preceded by | Cheng Jingye |
| Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia | |
| In office December 2017 – November 2021 | |
| Appointed by | Xi Jinping |
| Preceded by | Xie Feng |
| Succeeded by | Lu Kang |
| Chinese Ambassador to Hungary | |
| In office November 2012 – June 2015 | |
| Appointed by | Hu Jintao |
| Preceded by | Gao Jian (diplomat) |
| Succeeded by | Duan Jielong |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 1964 (age 59–60) China |
| Political party | Chinese Communist Party |
| Children | 1 |
Biography
editBorn in November 1964, Xiao joined the foreign service in 1986 and previously filled posts in Ethiopia, India, the United States, and the Philippines. In November 2012, he succeeded Gao Jian (diplomat) as Chinese ambassador to Hungary, serving in that position from 2012 to 2015. In 2015–17, he was director of the Asia Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in charge of Asia. He was designated by President Xi Jinping in December 2017 according to the decision of the National People's Congress, to replace Xie Feng as Chinese ambassador to Indonesia. In January 2022, he was appointed Chinese ambassador to Australia, succeeding Cheng Jingye.[2][3][4][5][6]
Political view
editOn 9 August 2022 during the National Press Club of Australia event, Ambassador Xiao Qian claimed that the Taiwanese people might need "re-educating" in the event of any reunification with Mainland China.[7] while responding to Australian reporters regarding similar comments from Chinese Ambassador to France.[8]
Personal life
editXiao is married and has a daughter.[citation needed]
Honours and awards
edit_3class_BAR.svg){kind=small}
References
edit- ^ Maria, Siow; Su-Lin, Tan (28 January 2022). "China-Australia relations: Beijing's new envoy to Canberra Xiao Qian is tough, but no 'wolf warrior'. Will he make a difference?". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ Liam, Gibson (25 November 2021). "Australian diplomats expect new Chinese ambassador to be smart, tough negotiator". taiwannews.com. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ Stephen, Dziedzic (24 March 2022). "China's ambassador is seeking friendship again but its Foreign Ministry still rails against Australia". abc.net.au. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ "Actively develop friendship': China's new ambassador to Australia strikes softer tone". theguardian.com. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ "Penny Wong says diplomatic thaw with China possible if Coalition stops 'playing politics'". theguardian.com. 10 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ 独家：肖千将成新任中国驻澳大使 曾任驻印尼大使. theaustralian.com.au (in Chinese). 25 November 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ "Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian indicates Taiwanese could be re-educated once reunited with mainland China". Skynews.com.au. 2022-08-10.
- ^ "IN FULL: Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian delivers address to Australia's National Press Club | ABC News". YouTube.
- ^ 肖千大使获颁匈牙利国家中十字勋章. mfa.gov.cn. 2015-05-12. Retrieved 2022-03-28.