Fu Xiaotian

Chinese journalist (born 1983)

Fu Xiaotian
Fu Xiaotian in 2019
Born (1983-06-12) 12 June 1983 (age 40)
Chongqing, China
CitizenshipChinese, China (Hong Kong)
Alma materBeijing Language and Culture University
Peking University
University of Cambridge
Occupation(s)Journalist, TV Host and Producer
Years active2009-2023
TelevisionTalk with World Leaders
Websitefuxiaotian.com (Archived 10 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine)

Fu Xiaotian (simplified Chinese: 傅晓田; traditional Chinese: 傅曉田; pinyin: Fù Xiǎotián, born 12 June 1983) is a Chinese news correspondent. Fu worked in London when she first joined state media outlet Phoenix Television, taking on the roles of chief correspondent and bureau chief. In 2011, she journeyed twice to Libya as a wartime reporter. The following year, she transferred to Phoenix TV's Hong Kong headquarters, where she worked as a senior reporter, covering major political events internationally. In June 2023, she disappeared from public view.

Early life

Fu Xiaotian was born in Chongqing, China, to an engineer and a housewife.[1] Her grandparents enlisted in the Chinese Red Army before settling in Chongqing.[1] She received a bachelor's degree from Beijing Language and Culture University and another from Peking University. She received a master's degree in education from Churchill College, Cambridge, in 2007.[2][3][4]

Talk with World Leaders

Fu Xiaotian at Meet with World Leaders book launching event

Talk with World Leaders is a one-on-one interview program on Phoenix TV, aiming to provide a platform for international leaders to communicate their views directly to Chinese audiences. The 32-minute program broadcasts worldwide on Phoenix Chinese Channel, Phoenix North American Channel, Phoenix European Channel, as well as Phoenix Hong Kong Channel on a weekly basis.

Fu headed the program from 2014 to 2022.[citation needed] Her final interview in the Talk with World Leaders series was in March 2022 with Chinese diplomat Qin Gang, who at the time was Chinese ambassador to the United States.[5]

Awards and recognition

Fu Xiaotian at the Knighting Ceremony

Fu was knighted with the Order of Stella d'Italia (Star of Italy) by President Sergio Mattarella of Italy in 2017. Italy's Ambassador to China at the time, Ettore Sequi, delivered a speech at the ceremony.[6][4]

The Xiaotian Fu Garden in Churchill College, University of Cambridge

In 2016, her alma mater, Churchill College at the University of Cambridge named a garden after her – the Xiaotian Fu Garden – in recognition of her £250,000 contribution to support education, learning and research.[1][7]

Disappearance

In July 2023, China's foreign minister Qin Gang disappeared amid speculation over an alleged affair with Fu.[1][8] Around the same time, Fu also disappeared from public view.[9][10] According to a 26 September article by the Financial Times, Fu was in a relationship with Qin, citing unnamed sources. According to the article, Qin and Fu met in London in 2010, when both were in the UK, and they developed a closer relationship nearly a decade later in Beijing. It also mentioned that Fu had a child with the help of a surrogate mother in the US. It mentioned that Qin began to limit contact with Fu after his appointment as foreign minister, prompting Fu to drop hints about their relationship on social media.[1]

Personal life

Fu has a son whom she calls "Er-Kin," delivered via surrogacy in the United States.[1]

Publications

  • Talk with World Leaders on China (世界政要谈中国：晓田访谈录) ISBN 978-7-5085-3675-0 (2017)[11]
  • Meeting World Leaders (风云之交) ISBN 978-7-5146-1780-1 (2020)[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f McMorrow, Ryan; Kynge, James; Yang, Yuan; Ho-him, Chan; Yu, Sun; Leahy, Joe (26 September 2023). "Chinese TV presenter linked to missing foreign minister had surrogate child in US". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  2. ^ "傅晓田_凤凰卫视主持人". Phoenix Television. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  3. ^ "《风云对话》主持人傅晓田新书发布 讲述背后故事-中新网视频". China News Service (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Churchill alumna Xiaotian Fu knighted with the Order of the Star of Italy". Churchill College. 5 July 2017. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Transcript of Ambassador Qin Gang's Interview with "Talk With World Leaders"". Embassy of China, Washington, D.C. 27 March 2022. Archived from the original on 15 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  6. ^ Fu,Xiaotian.; 傅晓田. (2020). Feng yun zhi jiao : Xiao tian guan shi jie = Meeting world leaders by Fu Xiaotian (Di 1 ban ed.). Beijing: Zhong guo hua bao chu ban she. ISBN 978-7-5146-1780-1. OCLC 1178935778.
  7. ^ "The Xiaotian Fu Garden". Churchill College. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  8. ^ Yang, William (27 September 2023). "Xi Jinping's foreign minister vanishes amid rumours of TV presenter affair". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  9. ^ McDonell, Stephen (26 July 2023). "Qin Gang: The swift rise and mysterious fall of China's missing foreign minister". BBC News. Archived from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  10. ^ Malleck, Julia (25 July 2023). "China confirmed its missing foreign minister Qin Gang has been sacked from the government". Quartz (publication). Archived from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  11. ^ 傅晓田 (2017). 世界政要谈中国: 傅晓田访谈录. China Intercontinental Press. ISBN 978-7508536750.
  12. ^ "《风云对话》主持人傅晓田新书发布 讲述背后故事". Sina Corporation (in Chinese). 11 December 2019. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.