China's Foreign Minister Unable to Attend ASEAN Meeting Due to Illness

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang is unable to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit due to health reasons, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. A senior diplomat, Wang Yi, will represent China at the meetings. China has been seeking to engage with ASEAN members to challenge U.S. influence in the region, but its aggressive claims in the South China Sea have limited its influence. Qin, known for his aggressive "wolf warrior diplomacy," has not been seen in public for over two weeks. China's tightly-controlled political system often leads to speculation surrounding the disappearance of leading figures, but the ruling Communist Party remains largely united behind President Xi Jinping.