German Chancellor’s Confidant And Ambassador Dies In China
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – The German ambassador to China who was a confidant of Chancellor Angela Merkel has suddenly died, the Foreign Ministry confirmed Monday.
Jan Hecker had only been in the ambassadorial role for a few days after his family arrived in August, officials said.
The 54-year-old previously worked as a foreign policy adviser to German Chancellor Merkel.
No reasons were announced for his death which comes amid Western tensions with China over the origins of the coronavirus, human rights, and Chinese military activities near Taiwan.
Ministry spokeswoman Andrea Sasse said, however, “there are no indications that the death is connected to Ambassador Hecker’s political function.”
His death marks a problematic moment for Germany where Merkel is due to step down after more than 20 years at the helm, leaving it up to her successor to maintain a guarded relationship with China.
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