Jan Hecker is dead. Germany's ambassador to China died at the age of 54.
The circumstances are unclear.
He was a confidante of Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Update from September 6, 8:36 a.m.:
Chancellor Angela Merkel was dismayed by the surprising death of the German ambassador to China. He previously worked in the Federal Chancellery and was a close confidante of Merkel (see first report). "The death of Jan Hecker shakes me deeply," she said on Monday morning in a statement circulated in Berlin. “I mourn the loss of a highly valued long-term advisor with deep humanity and outstanding expertise. I think with gratitude of our collaboration and I am happy to have been so closely connected with him over the years. "She added:" My deepest condolences go to his wife, children and other relatives in their immeasurable pain. "
Economics Minister Peter Altmaier, who, as the former head of the Chancellery, had also worked closely with Hecker, called Hecker's death on Twitter a tragedy and a great loss for everyone who knew him.
"His sense of duty, human and professional competence and deep education were outstanding."
Shortly after taking office: German ambassador to China died - he was a confidante of Chancellor Merkel
First report from September 6th, 6:29 am:
Beijing - The German ambassador to China, Jan Hecker, is dead. The Foreign Office announced on Monday morning.
The 54-year-old had only taken over the post in August.
The circumstances of his death were initially unclear.
Previously, Hecker was a foreign policy advisor to Chancellor Angela Merkel * (CDU *).
German ambassador to China dies: mourning for Jan Hecker
"It is with deep sadness and consternation that we are greeted by the sudden death of the German ambassador to China, Prof. Dr.
Jan Hecker, experienced ”, it said in the message from the Federal Foreign Office.
“At this moment, our thoughts are with his family and the people who were close to him.” The 54-year-old was born in Kiel, was married and has three children.
"What sad and shocking news," responded a senior official from the Chinese Foreign Ministry to the death of the new ambassador.
A leading German company representative who had just met with him said: “Tragic.
He was such a smart and reserved man.
A good listener. "
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Germany's ambassador to China, Jan Hecker, is dead.
© Michael Kappeler / dpa / dpa-Bildfunk
Ambassador Jan Hecker has died: He also worked in the Federal Chancellery
After arriving in Beijing, he and his family first went through the Corona * quarantine that is common in China. Prior to that, he had been Head of the Foreign, Security and Development Policy Department at the Federal Chancellery since 2017, making him a close confidante of the Chancellor.
The legal and political scientist worked as a judge at the Federal Administrative Court between 2011 and 2015, after having worked in the Federal Ministry of the Interior from 1999 to 2011. In 2015, Hecker became head of the newly created coordination staff for refugee policy. During the refugee crisis, he was largely responsible for putting the promise made by the Chancellor "We can do it" into practice. With this, Hecker moved to the center of government policy on Merkel's side.
German ambassador to China dies - Jan Hecker (54) was a close confidante of Chancellor Merkel
He was the first foreign policy advisor to the Chancellor who had not gone through the classic diplomatic career and was considered an outstanding foreign policy climber.
After the general election and the end of Merkel's chancellorship, according to observers, Hecker should ensure continuity in the difficult relationship with the emerging great power China.
Representatives of the Chinese Foreign Ministry had expressly welcomed his appointment and pointed to his closeness to the Chancellor, who is taking a more cautious stance in the growing tensions between Europe and China.
In Beijing his representative, the envoy Frank Rückert, takes over his duties for the time being.
(
kam / dpa) * Merkur.de
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