China has had 'no notice' of US ambassador leaving

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it has not received notice that the US ambassador to China will be leaving. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's Twitter posts on Monday indicated that ambassador Terry Branstad would be departing his post.

"We noticed the Twitter post by the U.S. side," said foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin in Beijing.

"We haven't received the notice Branstad will be leaving his post."

There was no immediate confirmation from the State Department. but Pompeo thanked Branstad for his service to the American people. He has spent more than three years in the role. Branstad was embroiled in a recent controversy when China's official People's Daily newspaper rejected an opinion column that he had submitted. It wasn't clear if his apparent departure was related to the newspaper's reaction. 

(Image Credits: AP)