China's state-run Xinhua News Agency has reported that Foreign Minister Qin Gang was removed from the post.

Xinhua said on Tuesday that the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress made the decision without citing any reasons for Qin's removal.

The news agency also reported the committee decided Wang Yi, a Communist Party Politburo member who is in charge of China's foreign policy, will hold the position of foreign minister.

Qin was named as foreign minister in December to succeed Wang, and in March elected as a state councilor, a post equivalent to vice premier.

Qin was expected to attend a series of meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations held in Indonesia until July 14 as foreign minister.

But the Chinese foreign ministry announced Qin was absent for health reasons. His last public appearance was reported on June 25.

There are rumors on the internet that Qin is under investigation over his relations with a female reporter for a Hong Kong TV station.