German ambassador to China dies two weeks into job

Germany’s new ambassador to China, Jan Hecker, who was a former foreign policy adviser to Chancellor Angela Merkel, has died shortly after taken up his post.

The Foreign Office confirmed on Monday and did not divulge the circumstances behind the diplomat’s death.

Jan Hecker had only taken up his new job in Beijing last month, while his deputy, Frank Rueckert, would take over his duties.

The Foreign Office said in a statement that, “It is with deep sadness and consternation that we heard of the sudden death of the German ambassador to China, Prof. Dr Jan Hecker.

“At this moment, our thoughts are with his family and the people who were close to him.”

Hecker had appeared happy and all right when he hosted an event about German artist Joseph Beuys at his Beijing home last Friday.

He was a university lecturer before becoming a foreign policy advisor to Chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of his appointment as ambassador.

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Kamila/Reuters