China's Former Foreign Minister Engages in Scandalous Affair with Renowned TV Host, Reveals FT Report

China's former foreign minister, Qin Gang, was reportedly involved in an extramarital relationship with a prominent Chinese TV presenter named Fu Xiaotian. Fu, who previously hosted a popular talk show on Phoenix TV, had a child through surrogacy in the United States. This revelation adds further intrigue to the mysterious disappearance and removal of Qin from his senior diplomatic position. According to the Financial Times, multiple unnamed sources, including individuals close to Fu and China's foreign policy establishment, have confirmed this information.

According to an undisclosed source mentioned in the FT report, Fu became a parent last year with the assistance of a surrogate mother in the US. The report did not disclose the identity of the father. Two individuals acquainted with Fu informed CNN that they were informed by mutual acquaintances about her utilization of surrogacy to have a child in the US, although they were unaware of the father's identity.

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The FT report adds another piece to the puzzle surrounding Qin, a former close associate of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Qin, who disappeared from public view for a month, was abruptly removed from his position as foreign minister in July.

Beijing has not provided any explanation for Qin's dismissal and has consistently avoided answering inquiries about his whereabouts from international reporters during press conferences.

When questioned about the recent report during a routine press briefing on Wednesday, a representative from China's Foreign Ministry stated that it was not a matter of diplomacy. CNN has contacted China's State Council Information Office, responsible for handling press inquiries for the central government, and Phoenix TV for their comments.

CNN has been unable to contact Qin or Fu, or anyone representing them. According to two sources, Fu ceased posting on her WeChat social media account in May after her return to China from the US in April.

In China, it is not uncommon for public figures, including officials, business tycoons, and celebrities, to vanish for extended periods, sometimes weeks or even months, during investigations before any information about their situation becomes available.

Chinese officials were informed by an internal Communist Party investigation that Qin was involved in an extramarital affair during his time as China's envoy to Washington. The affair resulted in the birth of a child in the United States. These details were revealed by individuals familiar with the matter and reported in the Wall Street Journal. Last month, the Chinese officials were given a briefing on the investigation, stating that Qin's dismissal was attributed to "lifestyle issues," a term commonly associated with sexual misconduct. The report did not disclose the names of the woman and child to the officials.

The WSJ reported that an ongoing investigation is being conducted to determine whether the purported affair and any other activities carried out by Qin might have had an impact on China's national security. Qin's resume on Chinese government websites states that he is married and has a son.

Yun Sun, the China program director at the Stimson Center think tank in Washington, stated that while extramarital affairs are not uncommon in Chinese politics, there are few instances where top leaders have had children as a result of such relationships.

Sun highlighted that if Qin was indeed removed due to his alleged relationship, it would be an exceptional case as no national-level Chinese leader has previously been ousted solely on the grounds of an affair.

"Thats where the speculation gets wild and becomes much more interesting," she said.

Fu Xiaotian, 40, was the host of a flagship talk show on Hong Kong-based Chinese broadcaster Phoenix TV.

Imaginechina/AP

Cross-continental connections

Speculation surrounding Qins alleged involvement with Fu has been circulating on Chinas tightly controlled social media platforms for several months following the notable diplomat's unexplained absence from the public sphere since June.

Fu, the renowned TV anchor, gained recognition by hosting the esteemed Phoenix TV show "Talk with World Leaders." On this prominent platform, she engaged in insightful interviews with influential figures from the realms of politics and business across the globe, including Qin during his tenure as the Chinese ambassador to Washington.

According to a trustworthy source close to Fu, she crossed paths with Qin in London approximately around 2010. This encounter took place shortly after her graduation from the prestigious Cambridge University, where she attained a masters degree. Fu had just embarked on her professional journey at the London bureau of Phoenix TV, coinciding with Qin's assignment as China's chargé d'affaires in the UK.

One of the individuals interviewed by CNN, who was familiar with Fu, stated that she and Qin were connected within the same social circles in London. Several individuals close to Fu, as cited by the FT, revealed that the two developed a closer bond almost ten years later in Beijing.

After Qins appointment as foreign minister in December of last year, he started reducing his communication with Fu, as reported by the FT. Two individuals familiar with the situation stated that Fu dropped subtle hints about their relationship on social media due to this change. Since Qins disappearance, Chinese social media users have been closely examining Fus posts on Weibo, a popular microblogging site where she has over a million followers.

At China's annual parliamentary meeting in March, Qin was appointed to the prestigious position of state councillor in China's cabinet. On this significant day, Fu shared a photo unveiling her baby's face for the first time, accompanied by the comment, "A triumphant ending." Earlier in the day, she had mentioned in another post that the father of her baby was not American and that they would be returning to China shortly.

Fu Xiaotian and her child are seen at her residence in California in a photo Fu shared on Weibo.

From Fu Xiaotian/Weibo

Lavish lifestyle

Speculation regarding Fus' seemingly impressive wealth has been fueled even further. She took to Weibo to share snapshots of her extravagant private jet excursions and her opulent residence located in a prosperous coastal suburb of California.

It remains a mystery as to how Fu, who had an extensive background in journalism spanning over ten years, managed to finance such a luxurious way of life.

CNN interviewed a person familiar with Fu who revealed that her mother was a teacher in her hometown of Chongqing, and her father held a managerial position at a production facility.

Public records indicate that Fu's coastal home in Orange County, California was listed for rent at $55,000 per month in 2021. The listing highlighted its impressive features, including "8 bedrooms and 9.5 bathrooms," along with an outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi.

Sun from the Stimson Center raised concerns about her identity, questioning whether a journalist could possess such significant wealth and influence to attain this level of social prominence. According to a report from Phoenix TV's news website, Fu was presented with the Order of the Star of Italy at the Italian embassy in Beijing on her birthday in 2017.

In 2016, Fu Xiaotian's alma mater, Churchill College at Cambridge University, honored her by naming a garden after her due to her generous donation and commitment to providing additional resources and academic assistance for young students. A press release from Churchill College in 2016 praised Fu Xiaotian's admirable decision to give back to her alma mater shortly after her graduation.

In response to CNN's freedom of information request, Churchill College declined to disclose the exact amount of Fu's donation. They cited a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fu in 2016, which obligated them to keep the information confidential. The college shared a copy of the MOU with CNN, confirming that the donation was made in multiple installments spanning a period of five years.

In a statement to CNN, Churchill College said: "We remain concerned for her wellbeing and hope that she and her child are safe and well," the statement added.

Fu Xiaotian traveled on a Gulfstream G650 private jet twice, according to her social media posts.

Courtesy Zikuan Chen

Trip home

Fu last posted on Weibo in the small hours of April 11 Beijing time, on her way back to China.

Based on flight records obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration, CNN discovered that Fu traveled from Los Angeles to Beijing on April 10 and 11, respectively, in a Gulfstream G650 private jet. The aircraft made a brief stop at Anchorage International Airport in Alaska to refuel. While in Alaska, Fu fondly recalled her previous journey on the same private jet over a year ago. She shared on Weibo that the plane had touched down in Washington DC on a rainy spring evening, with cherry blossoms quietly blooming.

During the trip to Washington, Fu conducted an interview with Qin. On March 18, 2022, flight records indicate that the plane made an unexpected one-hour stopover in Miami after leaving Los Angeles and before reaching Washington. This deviation from the usual route for chartered flights between the two cities is notable.

"That trip was intended for a job interview, little did I anticipate that it would mark my final appearance on Talk with World Leaders. A year later, I am once again boarding a plane from Los Angeles, but this time accompanied by my son Er-Kin. As for our destination this time, it remains a mystery," Fu wrote on Weibo.

According to two individuals familiar with Fu, her most recent post on Wechat, another popular Chinese social media platform, was on May 21st, as reported by CNN.

CNNs Simone McCarthy contributed reporting.