German ambassador to China dies just weeks into new position

Germany’s ambassador to China has died just weeks after taking his new position, CNN reported. 

The German embassy announced the death of Jan Hecker in a statement posted on its website on Monday. The embassy statement did not disclose the cause of Hecker’s death.

Hecker, 54, served as a director of various government departments before being named as German chancellor Angela Merkel’s foreign policy adviser in 2017. 

In a statement, Merkel shared her condolences to Hecker’s wife and children, calling him a “highly esteemed adviser.” 

“I mourn the loss of a highly esteemed adviser of many years, with deep humanity and outstanding expertise. I think of our cooperation with gratitude and am glad to have been so closely associated with him over the years,” Merkel said in the statement. “My deepest sympathy goes to his wife, children and other relatives in their immeasurable grief.”

Kanzlerin #Merkel zum Tod des Botschafters der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in China und früheren außenpolitischen Beraters Jan Hecker pic.twitter.com/s9IyDJAUqi

— Steffen Seibert (@RegSprecher) September 6, 2021

“We are shocked to learn of the sudden death of Ambassador Jan Hecker, who had been working actively to promote China-Germany relations since assuming his post. We mourn and regret his passing and extend sincere condolences to his loved ones,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during his daily media briefing on Monday.

Wang added that the embassy will also provide assistance for Hecker’s family during this time.