In a troubling trend, high-ranking Chinese officials continue to mysteriously vanish, exposing significant weaknesses in the country's authoritarian governance under President Xi Jinping. The sudden disappearances of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang and ex-Defense Minister Li Shangfu have thrust China's opaque political system into the global spotlight, raising concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability at the highest levels of government.

Qin, a rising star in China's political landscape and a loyal enforcer of Xi's "wolf warrior" diplomacy, was removed from office after just seven months, with no official explanation given. Similarly, Defense Minister Li Shangfu vanished from public view in August 2023, leading to his eventual replacement. These incidents, part of a broader pattern of unexplained removals in Chinese politics, highlight the precarious nature of power under Xi's rule, where even top officials can disappear without warning or due process.

The lack of transparency surrounding these disappearances fuels speculation and undermines China's global diplomatic credibility, making the country appear unreliable in international relations. With an authoritarian system that centralizes power and prioritizes loyalty over merit, China’s governance remains vulnerable to instability, fear, and policy paralysis—issues that hinder its efforts to assert itself as a global leader.