US says formally invites new Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi to Washington

The United States has formally invited China’s newly reappointed foreign minister, Wang Yi, to Washington, the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday, after Wang’s predecessor was abruptly removed from his post by Beijing.
China reappointed veteran diplomat Wang last week, replacing former rising star Qin Gang, who has not been seen for more than month — a mysterious absence after just seven months in the job that has raised questions about transparency.
China’s foreign ministry has only said Qin was off work for unspecified health reasons.
The invitation to Wang was extended on Monday during a meeting at the State Department between U.S. Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and Yang Tao, Director General of the North American and Oceania Affairs at China’s Foreign Ministry, State Department spokesperson
Matthew Miller told a press briefing.