China’s top diplomat Wang Yi is best hope for making Xi-Biden meeting happen, analysts say

When asked if China had accepted the invitation, Miller said Washington expected Beijing to accept and that “it is a trip that we expect to happen”.

Diplomatic observers pointed out that Wang’s seniority and influence within the Chinese government meant that he could make a huge impact in Washington and smooth the path for a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Joe Biden later this year.

Susan Shirk, a professor at the University of California San Diego and chair of its 21st Century China Centre, said it was obvious even before Qin’s removal that Wang was “Xi’s most influential foreign policy adviser”.

Wang was promoted last year to the Politburo, China’s highest policymaking body, and took on the role as foreign affairs chief for the Communist Party, making him the country’s No 1 diplomat. He served as foreign minister for nearly a decade – during Xi’s first and second terms – before Qin succeeded him in December.

Last month’s reappointment has made Wang one of China’s most powerful foreign ministers in decades.

“The channel that has been established between him and [US national security adviser] Jake Sullivan is critical for restoring some mutual confidence in US-China relations and in particular, in laying a foundation for a moderately successful meeting between the two leaders at the Apec meeting in November,” Shirk said.