analysis
The key to opening up for China is a rigorous vaccination campaign, but progress has stalled. Photo: Reuters

No end in sight for China’s zero-Covid policy with experts left at a loss

With his third term secured, Xi Jinping must now address zero-Covid’s impact on the economy, jobs and social stability, some analysts believe.

31 Oct 2022 - 12:27PM
Amendments to the Chinese Communist Party’s constitution may have implications for Taiwan, analysts say. Photo: Sam Tsang

What a new line in China’s constitution on Hong Kong says about Taiwan

Additions may be reinforcement of Xi’s confidence in the one country, two systems model as the solution for Taiwan, says associate professor.

29 Oct 2022 - 8:00AM
Chinese President Xi Jinping (front) walks with members of the country’s new Politburo Standing Committee. Photo: AFP

What the Hong Kong links of China’s top leadership team mean for city

New hierarchy of seven-member Politburo Standing Committee could lead to smoother implementation of key policies involving Hong Kong, analysts say.

25 Oct 2022 - 4:28PM
Members of the People’s Liberation Army band sit during the opening session of the Communist Party’s national congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 16. Photo: AFP

China’s reshuffled military leadership highlights Taiwan focus

New Central Military Commission line-up gives clues on the People’s Liberation Army’s priorities in the next five years.

24 Oct 2022 - 3:39PM
As the sun sets on Li Keqiang’s premiership, experts say high hopes for Li’s reforms gradually faded as his influence in the party’s top levels diminished. Photo: Xinhua

The legacy of China’s low-key ‘people’s premier’ Li Keqiang

As the sun sets on Li Keqiang’s tenure, experts chime in on the achievements of China’s premier, and speculate on what could have been.

23 Oct 2022 - 12:05AM
Officials have previoulsy denied the strategy is a Robin Hood-style steal from the rich to give to the poor plan, but concerns over investment and asset security. Photo” Bloomberg

China’s wealthy class feel target on their backs as Xi renews inequality drive

President Xi Jinping outlined how China will keep ‘income distribution and the means of accumulating wealth well-regulated’ at the 20th party congress, triggering fresh worries among the wealthy and upper middle-class.

22 Oct 2022 - 11:00AM
Illustration: Brian Wang

How US analysts are interpreting Xi’s priorities at China’s 20th party congress

Efforts to interpret Xi Jinping’s priorities focus on three main areas: foreign and military policy, party politics and economics.

24 Oct 2022 - 10:16PM
Illustration: Henry Wong

China’s ethnic minority cadres are finding less space at the party’s top

Experts say ethnic minority representation in the senior leadership will continue to weaken as Beijing places more focus on integration in one national identity.

19 Oct 2022 - 9:05PM
Many of China’s struggling entrepreneurs appear to be stumbling through the dark, desperate for a glimmer of hope in fraught economic times. Illustration: Brian Wang

Why China’s ‘rattled’ private firms struggle to see light at the end of tunnel

From its zero-Covid policy and heavy-handed regulations to deteriorating international relations in a weakened global environment, China faces a ‘storm’ like it’s never seen.

18 Oct 2022 - 9:25AM
The country has touted the superiority of its approach to Covid-19. Photo: AP

Why China’s official media moved to end hopes of swift end to zero-Covid

The party mouthpiece People’s Daily published its third straight commentary praising the approach, further hitting hopes restrictions might start to ease soon.

12 Oct 2022 - 11:34PM
Illustration: Perry Tse

Why are women unlikely to win promotion race at China’s party congress?

Most civil servants recruited by the central government are now women, but they face a tortuous path if they hope to make it to the top.

2 Oct 2022 - 11:00PM
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

What does it take to get promoted in Chinese politics? Up-and-comers offer clues

Those with business or tech backgrounds, regional leadership experience and connections to Xi most likely to be promoted, observers say.

22 Sep 2022 - 6:00AM
 Illustration: Henry Wong

Poverty threat unlikely to derail China’s push for common prosperity

Party congress expected to celebrate last year’s declared success in lifting lowest incomes and turn focus to 2049 goal.

13 Sep 2022 - 11:58PM
Illustration: Henry Wong

Will Xi Jinping change the size of China’s supreme decision-making body?

The Politburo Standing Committee is the party’s top decision-making body, but there are no written rules on how many members it can have. Analysts say its size is unlikely to change since Xi has cemented his power.

9 Sep 2022 - 1:47PM
Illustration: Perry Tse

Why is retirement beckoning for 11 members of China’s Politburo?

Xi Jinping is on course to become party leader for a third term – the first to do so since the death of Mao Zedong in 1976 – but 11 of the 24 other Politburo members are likely to retire.

5 Sep 2022 - 4:07PM
Will Vice-Premier Liu He bid adieu next month to his role as China’s ‘economic tsar’? Illustration: Brian Wang

Liu He has Xi’s trust, but who can fill in when the ‘economic tsar’ retires?

Vice-Premier Liu He is the president’s right-hand man for economic affairs, but some analysts say China’s economic tsar will have to navigate rougher waters as Xi Jinping grips the helm tight.

5 Sep 2022 - 10:06AM
Xi Jinping’s economic philosophy will be in the spotlight at the 20th Party Congress in autumn, where he is likely to be sworn in for a third term. Illustration: Perry Tse

Xi wants ‘new era’ for China economy, leaving Deng’s ‘get rich’ policy behind

Since taking office in 2013, Xi Jinping has stamped his mark on the economy like few of China’s leaders before him. But some analysts say important reform has taken a back seat.

25 Aug 2022 - 9:54AM
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Changing of China’s diplomatic guard on agenda for this year’s party congress

China’s two most influential diplomats, both above retirement age, are set to leave important vacancies to fill.

22 Aug 2022 - 10:16AM