Minister of Foreign Affairs (China)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China is the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and one of the country's top and most important cabinet posts. The Minister usually is also a member of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and a state councillor. The Minister is the second-highest ranking diplomat in China after the director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission.

History
The post was initially established after the proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1 October 1949 as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Central People's Government, with Zhou Enlai being appointed as both the minister and the premier.

Process of appointment
Officially, the minister is nominated by the premier of the State Council, who is then approved by the National People's Congress or its Standing Committee and appointed by the president.