Chinese Ambassador Mr. Qian Minjian: The cultured diplomat whom Lebanon loved
Chinese Ambassador Mr. Qian Minjian:
The cultured diplomat whom Lebanon loved
Beirut, June 10, 2025
When a diplomat sets foot in a new country, he brings with him not only his official credentials, but also his heart, mind, and culture. This was the philosophy of Chinese Ambassador Qian Minjian during the four years he spent in Lebanon, during which he transformed the diplomatic mission into a true bridge for human and cultural exchange between two peoples linked by centuries of civilizational interaction. Ambassador Minjian’s diplomatic assignment came as a culmination of his deep knowledge of the Land of the Cedars, having first become acquaintedwith Lebanon in the 1990s through his diplomatic activities.
In the summer of 2021, Ambassador Minjian arrived in Beirut under exceptional circumstances. Lebanon was grappling with the worst economic crisis in its modern history, still reeling from the wounds of the Beirut Port explosion and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to a currency collapse and unprecedented levels of poverty. But instead of remaining confined within diplomatic walls, Ambassador Minjian chose to step out into the field, to be at the heart of events, to witness firsthand the suffering of the Lebanese people, and to seek practical ways to alleviate it.
His first visits were to the healthcare sector, where his country took the initiative to help Lebanon overcome the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and save lives. Despite the widespread outbreak and significant risks, the ambassador did not hesitate to expand his activities. He visited government officials across various ministries and institutions, traveled to remote cities and villages, and closely observed the conditions of the people to assess their situations firsthand.
But Ambassador Minjian’s work was not limited to the humanitarian aspect. From the outset, he understood that true diplomacy must leave a tangible impact on people's lives. With this conviction, he worked to launch and strengthen a series of development projects targeting various sectors.
The most prominent project that will forever commemorate Ambassador Minjian’s mission in Lebanon is undoubtedly the Conservatory project in Dbayeh. This grand cultural landmark, being built through a Chinese grant, is not merely another building added to Lebanon’s musical landscape, but a living embodiment of his vision for relations between the two countries. Ambassador Minjian firmly believes that music is a universal language in which all barriers fall, and he personally ensured close oversight of every detail of the project. Lebanon’s Minister of Culture, Dr. Ghassan Salamé, described the Dbayeh Conservatory set to be completed by the end of this year as “one of the largest gifts ever offered by the People’s Republic of China to Lebanon, and a profound symbol of friendship.”
The achievements of Ambassador Minjian are vast and significant, with perhaps the most important lying in the economic field. He successfully launched a series of initiatives to enhance trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. He organized and participated in numerous economic meetings that brought together Lebanese and Chinese business people, and oversaw the signing of agreements in various fields such as technology, renewable energy, and more. One notable example of this cooperation in the renewable energy sector was the Chinese grant aimed at providing solar energy to Ogero, Lebanon’s telecommunications authority. This project played a key role in supplying electricity to Ogero’s facilities and ensuring greater stability in the telecommunications network.
Ambassador Minjian often stated that he views the Lebanese private sector and Lebanon as a whole as a strategic partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. He maintained exceptionally strong relations with the Lebanese Chinese Business Association, which played a key role in strengthening economic ties between the two countries and launching numerous projects across various sectors. These relationships also deepened China’s attentiveness to Lebanon’s needs, especially during times of crisis of which there have been many.
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We cannot list all the projects Ambassador Minjian accomplished here, but during his diplomatic tenure in Lebanon, we witnessed steady progress in bilateral cooperation across politics, economics, trade, culture, health, science, technology, education, sports, and many other fields.
The Chinese side, through Ambassador Minjian, continued to support Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity as usual, in addition to actively participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations in Lebanon through Chinese peacekeeping forces and providing assistance to the Lebanese side. During his farewell meeting with the Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, the ambassador reaffirmed that his country stands by Lebanon and supports it in regional and international forums, and will continue this support especially regarding the upcoming extension of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon next August.
During the Israeli aggression against Lebanon, Ambassador Minjian was at the forefront defending Lebanon, just as he stood firmly in support of the Palestinian cause and Gaza. He ensured his country provided crucial assistance, including a financial grant for families displaced from the south, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs. He also took initiatives on multiple fronts to help those who had to leave their homes during the war. Both in international forums and in his speeches, he was a sincere voice advocating for Lebanon’s rights, emphasizing that security and stability in Lebanon are an integral part of regional and international security.
What truly distinguished Ambassador Minjian was his unique humanitarian spirit and his deep connection to the Land of the Cedars and its people. He learned Arabic in the Lebanese dialect and became able to deliver speeches in the local language, creating an atmosphere of closeness with the Lebanese audience.
Today, as Ambassador Minjian leaves Lebanon, he leaves behind a rich legacy of achievements and memories. But more importantly, he leaves strong friendships built on mutual respect and shared interests..
Ambassador Qian Minjian was not merely a diplomat performing his duties; he was a true ambassador of Chinese culture and friendship, and a bridge connecting two ancient civilizations. He proved that diplomacy is not only conducted in conference rooms and official meetings but also in hearts and minds, through genuine friendships that are built. This is precisely what Ambassador Minjian has left in Lebanon, to whom we do not say farewell, dear ambassador and friend, but rather, until we meet again.