German Ambassador Dies 2 Weeks Into Job In Beijing

Germany’s new ambassador to China, Jan Hecker, has died shortly after taking up his post, the Foreign Office confirmed Monday.

The Foreign Ministry did not divulge the circumstances behind the diplomat’s death.

The 54-year-old had only taken up his new job in Beijing last month. His deputy, Frank Rueckert, will take over his duties.

“It is with deep sadness and consternation that we heard of the sudden death of the German ambassador to China, Professor, Dr. Jan Hecker.

“At this moment, our thoughts are with his family and the people who were close to him,’’ the Foreign Office said in a statement.

A native of the northern port city of Kiel, Hecker trained as a lawyer and had worked as an attorney and a judge.

He was married with three children.

Hecker was a university lecturer before becoming a foreign policy advisor to Chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of his appointment as ambassador.

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