Wang Yi (politician)

Wang Yi (Chinese: 王毅; October 1953 - ) is a politician of the People's Republic of China. As professional diplomat, he formerly served as vice Foreign Minister and Chinese ambassador to Japan. He is the current director of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of PRC.

Born in Beijing, Wang was sent to Northeast China after graduating from high school in September 1969. He served in Northeast Construction Army Corps in Heilongjiang Province for 8 years. In December 1977, Wang returned to Beijing, and in the same, was enrolled in the department of Asian and African language of Beijing International Studies University (BISU), studying Japanese language. He graduated in February 1982, with a bachelor's degree.

Upon graduation, Wang was sent to Asian section of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and began his diplomat career. In September 1989, he was sent to Chinese Embassy in Japan and served there for 5 years. When he returned to China in March of 1994, Wang was appointed as vice section chief of Asian section of the Ministry and was promoted to section chief the next year. From August 1997 to February 1998, Wang was a visiting scholar at institute of foreign relations of Georgetown University in the United States. Soon after his return, he was promoted to Minister assistant and the director of office of policy research. From September 1999, Wang studied international relations at China Foreign Affairs University and obtained a master's degree. In February 2001, Wang was elevated to deputy Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in charge of Asian affairs. He was then the youngest deputy Minister.

In September 2004, Wang was appointed as the ambassador to Japan and he served this post till September, 2007. In June 2008, Wang succeeded Chen Yunlin as the director of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Wang's wife is the daughter of Qian Jiadong, the foreign affairs secretary of Zhou Enlai.

Wang is a current member of 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.