*BEIJING*: China is expected to announce a reshuffle of its top diplomatsat an annual meeting of parliament in March, aiming to deal with USPresident Donald Trump’s growing suspicion of Beijing, several sourcesfamiliar with the plan said.

The sources, including foreign diplomats, told Reuters that Wang Qishan, aclose ally of President Xi Jinping, will likely become vice president witha portfolio specifically focused on handling ties with Washington. He wouldreport directly to Xi.

Current Foreign Minister Wang Yi will probably become a state councillor,replacing current top diplomat and State Councillor Yang Jiechi, who hasbeen promoted to the Communist Party’s 25-member Politburo, the sourcessaid.

State councillors, who report to the cabinet, are more senior than theministers responsible for the same portfolio.

Wang Yi could also keep the foreign minister portfolio, the sources said.

Another possibility was that Song Tao, head of the Communist Party’sInternational Affairs Department and close to Xi, could become foreignminister, the sources said. Song is a career diplomat who has worked inIndia and the Philippines and speaks good English, diplomats who have methim say.

Yang, who joined the Politburo in October, could become a vice premier withresponsibility for foreign affairs, or become a deputy head of China’sparliament, which would mean he could deal directly with the US Congress,the sources said.

Effectively Wang Qishan will be China’s senior-most diplomat, then Yang andthen Wang Yi.

“There will be three top diplomats,” one of the sources told Reuters,referring to the three officials. “The United States will be a focus.”

The sources cautioned that last minute changes are still possible and thepositions won’t become finalised until parliament nears the end of itsannual session around mid-March.

All the sources spoke on condition of anonymity, either because they werenot authorised to speak to foreign reporters or because of the sensitivityof discussing personnel appointments, considered secret until they areannounced.

Neither the Communist Party’s Organization Department, which overseespersonnel decisions, nor the State Council Information Office, whichdoubles as the party spokesman’s office, responded to questions about thenew diplomatic appointments.

*TENSIONS WITH TRUMP:*

Despite a largely controversy-free visit by Trump to China in November,tensions, especially over trade, have worsened.

Trump has long sought a way to a more balanced trade relationship withChina and threatened to impose a big “fine” against Beijing to protectAmerican intellectual property. Trump has also been discussing imposing atariff on imports of steel from China and other countries.

The role of Wang Qishan, who is not related to Foreign Minister Wang Yi,has been subject to intense speculation since he stepped down from theparty’s Standing Committee, the apex of power in China, in October.

Close to Xi and the man in charge of Xi’s sweeping anti-corruptioncrackdown over the past five years, Wang Qishan, at 69, had reached the ageat which top leaders technically have to step down.

As he’s such an experienced politician, Xi is going to keep him on though,the sources said.

Known as “the firefighter” for his central role in tackling issues likecorruption and domestic financial problems over the years, Wang also hasexperience dealing with the United States in his former role as a vicepremier who led annual economic talks with Washington.

“Wang Qishan is a heavyweight. And the Americans respect him,” a sourcewith ties to the leadership told Reuters. “Hopefully he will be able totemper American hostility.”

Diplomatic and US business sources say the United States has all but frozena formal mechanism for talks on commercial disputes because it is notsatisfied with Beijing’s efforts at opening its economy.

Any effort by China to elevate formal exchanges on trade issues, forexample from a cabinet to vice presidential level, would require the WhiteHouse’s consent too.

State Councillor Yang is not seen to have achieved any breakthroughs in hisunofficial role as China’s special envoy to the Trump administration,despite speaking fluent English and being a former Chinese ambassador inWashington.

This is partly the reason Liu He, a top economic adviser of Xi‘s, isvisiting Washington this week, said a senior Asian diplomat, citingconversations with Chinese officials.

“Yang will remain a senior diplomat but maybe with less of a United Statesrole,” said the diplomat.

*DOUBLE ROLE:*

Wang Yi has been increasingly outspoken in his defence of Beijing’sinterests in recent years and is unusually media friendly for a Chineseofficial. The possibility he could take up two positions concurrently isunusual but not without precedent.

Defence Minister Chang Wanquan, for example, is also a state councillor.

There are currently four state councillors – one was sacked on Saturday forcorruption – who have specific areas of responsibility, such as defence orforeign policy.

As a state councillor, Wang would also have responsibility for anothertricky issue – self-ruled Taiwan, claimed by China as its own and whichBeijing fears is on the road to formal independence.

Wang, however, has less experience dealing with the United States and is aJapanese speaker rather than an expert in English.

“Promoting Wang would be a reward for him,” said a Western diplomat,referring to Wang’s spirited public defence of Chinese positions, rangingfrom the disputed South China Sea to rejecting accusations of Chinesespying on the African Union. – Agencies