EXIT QIN GANG

The disappearing act of China's foreign minister Qin Gang and his replacement (for now) by Wang Yi are shrouded in the usual deferential self-possession, a trademark of Chinese might.

Both excel in diplomatic skills, but Wang Xi is a more traditional, experienced representative of the aloof style which prevails in the entourage of President Xi . 

Observers will guess for the reasons, and the Chinese will stick to the talking points that are coming from higher up.

Qin Gang was unusual insofar as he looked more relaxed and approachable. His tenure as the PRC's ambassador in Washington might have loosened his strict adherence to Chinese cosmology. Nevertheless, under the more relaxed façade there was always a temperament of steel.

The power games in Beijing lack the often vulgar proximity of the political vaudeville that plays out in the Western democracies. Therefore they become the stuff high-brow comments and projections are made of.