2nd envoy detained for questioning

A deputy to a prominent Chinese diplomat being questioned by authorities was also detained, three people with knowledge of the matter said, a further sign of uncertainty in the top echelons of China's diplomacy.

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Sun Haiyan, former ambassador to Singapore, was detained in early August around the time Liu Jianchao, widely seen as a potential foreign minister candidate, was taken in for questioning, two of the people said.

Ms Sun, the first woman to serve as a deputy head of the Communist Party's International Department, was detained by Chinese authorities in connection with the questioning of Mr Liu, the sources said.

None of the sources knew the basis of the questioning of either diplomat. The sources requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.