A senior Chinese diplomat considered a contender for future foreign minister has been detained by authorities for questioning, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

Liu Jianchao, head of a department under the ruling Communist Party that oversees relations with foreign political parties, was "taken away" after returning to Beijing from a work trip abroad in late July, according to people familiar with the matter, the report said.

The reason for his detention could not be determined, it added.

China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request by AFP to confirm the report.

Liu, 61, has previously served in key diplomatic roles including ambassadorships to the Philippines and Indonesia and foreign ministry spokesperson.

He has also led various national and regional

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