https://www.scmp.com/rss/211201/feed Han Zheng was 48 when first named mayor of Shanghai in 2003, the youngest person to hold the post in 50 years. He is strongly tipped to become the city's party chief and a Politburo member having successfully overseen Shanghai's hosting of the World Expo in 2010, its rise as the world's busiest container port and the current strides it is making towards becoming the top renminbi trading, clearing and pricing centre by 2015. However, his lack of experience outside Shanghai might hinder his... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Jevans Nyabiage Jevans Nyabiage During Vice-President Han Zheng’s visit to Nairobi in March, China signed a cash grant for drought relief and recently delivered food aid to Somalia, Togo, Zimbabwe and Zambia – helping 217,057 people in Zambia and providing Zimbabwe with 5,000 tonnes of rice. Du Xiaohui, director general of the foreign ministry’s African affairs department, later affirmed that Beijing would help nations in Africa boost food security and agricultural resilience through emergency aid and long-term support for... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3350443/china-steps-aid-africa-huge-funding-gap-left-trumps-cuts-remains?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3350443/china-steps-aid-africa-huge-funding-gap-left-trumps-cuts-remains?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 04:00:09 +0000 Jevans Nyabiage Jevans Nyabiage China pledged to continue its support for South Africa on the same day that it emerged that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had been disinvited from this year’s Group of Seven (G7) summit in France following US threats to boycott the event. On Thursday, Pretoria said that Ramaphosa’s invitation – issued personally by French President Emmanuel Macron at last year’s Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg – had been withdrawn because the organisers did not want a no-show from the United... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348226/can-reliable-friend-china-fill-gap-us-pressures-allies-snub-south-africa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348226/can-reliable-friend-china-fill-gap-us-pressures-allies-snub-south-africa?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 04:00:41 +0000 Jevans Nyabiage Jevans Nyabiage Kenya secured trade and infrastructure financing deals during Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng’s visit this week, but analysts cautioned that deepening ties were complicated by rising debt and Nairobi’s balancing act between global powers. The “early harvest” Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries grants Kenyan products – including tea, coffee and avocados – duty-free and quota-free access to the Chinese market starting in May. After talks with Han on Tuesday, Kenyan President... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348071/kenya-secures-trade-deal-china-rising-debt-us-competition-complicate-deeper-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348071/kenya-secures-trade-deal-china-rising-debt-us-competition-complicate-deeper-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:00:07 +0000 Meredith Chen Meredith Chen China’s leadership has paid tribute to Liao Xilong, praising the late general for his loyalty to the Communist Party and military service. Liao, 85, who was in charge of overhauling military logistics, died on January 23, state news agency Xinhua reported on Thursday, the day of his funeral. “[Liao was] a time-tested and loyal communist warrior, an outstanding military commander, and an exemplary leader in advancing the comprehensive modernisation of military logistics,” the report said. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3341735/communist-warrior-chinas-leaders-pay-tribute-late-general-liao-xilong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3341735/communist-warrior-chinas-leaders-pay-tribute-late-general-liao-xilong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:00:22 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang Taipei mayor Chiang Wan-an is set to visit Shanghai for a joint forum, an event that will be watched closely by Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Chiang will travel to Shanghai on December 27 and 28 for the Shanghai-Taipei City Forum, Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported on Thursday. On Friday, mainland state news agency Xinhua said the annual forum would convene in Shanghai on December 28 and be based on the theme “Technology Transforming Life”. The forum, which was first... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3336251/taipei-mayor-chiang-wan-attend-annual-forum-shanghai-under-taiwans-watch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3336251/taipei-mayor-chiang-wan-attend-annual-forum-shanghai-under-taiwans-watch?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:00:18 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial As two of the world’s economic powerhouses, Germany and China have much to offer each other. Alas, relations have significantly worsened since the end of the Angela Merkel era. As a key part of the European Union and the US-led Western alliance system, Berlin has taken a hardline stance towards Beijing in recent years. It has been a difficult relationship for China to manage as Germany swings from political hostility to economic pragmatism. The latest visit by German Foreign Minister Johann... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3335845/time-germany-see-reason-and-improve-relations-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3335845/time-germany-see-reason-and-improve-relations-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:15:07 +0000 Zhao Ziwen Zhao Ziwen China’s deliveries of rare earths, semiconductors and other commodities to Germany dominated the talks between German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Monday. “In all of these areas, there has been uncertainty, and that needs to be eliminated,” Wadephul said as he began a trip to China aimed at addressing Berlin’s trade and geopolitical concerns. According to Reuters, Beijing was far from being persuaded to grant general export licences for rare earth... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3335643/german-foreign-minister-calls-end-uncertainty-chinese-rare-earths-chips?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3335643/german-foreign-minister-calls-end-uncertainty-chinese-rare-earths-chips?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 12:50:36 +0000 Kandy Wong Kandy Wong With China’s economic clout still its “strongest card” in Southeast Asia, Beijing is continuing to gain prominence in all corners of the region as its leading external partner, according to a study released on Wednesday. According to the Lowy Institute’s Southeast Asia Influence Index, China has an overall score of 65 out of 100, a one-point lead over its nearest rival, the United States, making it the “most influential power” in six of the region’s 11 countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3326622/china-now-southeast-asias-leading-partner-us-influence-wanes-report-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3326622/china-now-southeast-asias-leading-partner-us-influence-wanes-report-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 13:00:12 +0000 Luna Sun Luna Sun A trade fair in the southern Chinese city of Nanning has become a testing ground for exporters shifting their focus to Southeast Asia. Attracted by the region’s fast-growing economies and young consumers – and facing slowing demand in the West – many Chinese companies see the annual event as a potential gateway to court buyers and expand their overseas footprints. Li Wenqi, a manager at an electric scooter and battery manufacturer in Jiangxi province, is among the exporters seeking new... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3326167/chinese-firms-treat-trade-fair-testing-ground-southeast-asian-market-ambitions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3326167/chinese-firms-treat-trade-fair-testing-ground-southeast-asian-market-ambitions?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:00:15 +0000 SCMP SCMP Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Takeaways from Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun’s speech at Xiangshan Forum As China hosts its annual defence conference, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Defence Minister Dong Jun outlined the country’s priorities and aims. 2. US Fed cuts rates for first time in 2025 amid pressure from Trump, weaker job outlook The US Federal Reserve has announced that it... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3326021/chinese-defence-ministers-speech-us-fed-cuts-rates-scmp-daily-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3326021/chinese-defence-ministers-speech-us-fed-cuts-rates-scmp-daily-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:15:08 +0000 Luna Sun Luna Sun Vice-President Han Zheng urged China and Southeast Asia to deepen their strategic alignment on Wednesday, as Beijing pushes to upgrade its free trade area agreement with the region amid the US trade war. The world’s second-largest economy aims to “strengthen the alignment of development strategies and tighten the bonds of our shared community” with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Han said in his opening address at the China-Asean Expo in the southwestern Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3325860/china-pushes-closer-southeast-asia-trade-links-it-fends-us-pressure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3325860/china-pushes-closer-southeast-asia-trade-links-it-fends-us-pressure?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Sep 2025 23:00:08 +0000 Shi Jiangtao Shi Jiangtao Donald Trump’s approach to international relations has placed China on the defensive, but by also alienating key US allies and partners, it may have created an unexpected opening for Beijing. Since the US president unveiled his tariff plans in April, Beijing has significantly ramped up efforts to improve ties with Europe, Southeast Asia, and even its most formidable regional rivals – Japan and India. In a sign of deepening detente between the Himalayan neighbours, India’s external affairs... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3319179/how-chinas-latest-mega-dam-threatens-undermine-thaw-ties-india?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3319179/how-chinas-latest-mega-dam-threatens-undermine-thaw-ties-india?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Jul 2025 12:35:39 +0000 Liu Zhen,Vanessa Cai Liu Zhen,Vanessa Cai China and India will restart mutual personnel travel and direct flights after more than five years of suspension, the two countries’ foreign ministers agreed in Beijing on Monday. “The two sides agreed to take additional practical steps, including travel to each other’s country and direct flight connectivity, for facilitating people-to-people exchanges,” according to a statement by India’s Ministry of External Affairs. However, a readout from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not mention... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3318175/china-urges-respect-thorny-issues-indias-jaishankar-makes-first-visit-5-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3318175/china-urges-respect-thorny-issues-indias-jaishankar-makes-first-visit-5-years?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Jul 2025 12:17:05 +0000 Tensions between the world’s two largest economies appear controlled after Donald Trump’s return to the White House, belying months of anti-China bluster from the new US leader. Three days ahead of his January 20 inauguration, Trump had a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss issues including fentanyl and trade, an exchange he described as “very good”. He also reportedly plans to visit China. After taking office, Trump also held back on immediately imposing tariffs on China as... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3296630/after-trumps-opening-salvo-will-he-put-brakes-bigger-tariffs-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3296630/after-trumps-opening-salvo-will-he-put-brakes-bigger-tariffs-china?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Feb 2025 15:00:07 +0000 Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, opening up a new chapter in relations with rival China, which despite featuring as a regular punching bag before and after his re-election was barely mentioned in the newly installed president’s inaugural address. The half-hour speech name-checked China just once, when Trump mentioned the world’s second-largest economy’s role in the Panama Canal and vowed to return it to American hands. “We didn’t give it to China,” he said... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3295641/trump-inauguration-china-and-tariffs-get-few-mentions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3295641/trump-inauguration-china-and-tariffs-get-few-mentions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Jan 2025 09:00:53 +0000 Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng held talks with the US vice-president-elect J.D. Vance and tech billionaire Elon Musk at separate meetings in Washington ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to a “long and fruitful” relationship. Han said Beijing was ready to work with Washington to “implement the important consensus reached between President Xi Jinping and president-elect Trump”, said China’s official news agency Xinhua. According to the statement,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3295419/china-vice-president-han-meets-vance-musk-ahead-trump-inauguration?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3295419/china-vice-president-han-meets-vance-musk-ahead-trump-inauguration?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jan 2025 02:58:42 +0000 Mia Castagnone Mia Castagnone Hong Kong stocks jumped on optimism over US-China relations, following a positive phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US president-elect Donald Trump. The Hang Seng Index closed 1.8 per cent higher at 19,925.81 on Monday, after rising as much as 2.6 per cent in intraday trading. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index climbed 0.5 per cent, while the Shanghai Composite Index rose marginally. Tech stocks surged, with the Hang Seng Tech Index gaining 2.6 per cent. Leading the pack was... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3295417/hong-kong-stocks-rise-positive-talks-between-trump-and-xi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3295417/hong-kong-stocks-rise-positive-talks-between-trump-and-xi?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jan 2025 02:29:24 +0000 SCMP will report on the inauguration day of US president-elect Donald Trump live from 12am Tuesday HKT. The live blog will be made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. When Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, a new chapter of geopolitical uncertainty will be written, potentially ushering in an intensified... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3295285/donald-trumps-inauguration-us-china-rivalry-opens-new-and-uncertain-chapter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3295285/donald-trumps-inauguration-us-china-rivalry-opens-new-and-uncertain-chapter?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jan 2025 01:00:18 +0000 The United States has held presidential inaugurations every four years since its first president, George Washington, was sworn in back in 1789. Intended to mark the peaceful transfer of power and serve as a unifying event for the nation, the ceremony features some elements that are consistent regardless of party affiliation, such as the oath of office, while the invited speakers may send out different signals and performances may vary widely in tone. Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th... https://www.scmp.com/news/us/us-elections/explainers/article/3295281/us-presidential-inaugurations-pomp-circumstance-and-tradition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/us/us-elections/explainers/article/3295281/us-presidential-inaugurations-pomp-circumstance-and-tradition?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Jan 2025 12:00:09 +0000 US president-elect Donald Trump has told advisers he wants to travel to China after he takes office, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, quoting people familiar with the discussions. Trump has expressed interest in travelling to China in his first 100 days in office, the report said, citing one of the people. Trump’s inauguration is Monday, and Chinese state news agencies said on Friday that Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng will attend as Beijing stands ready to strengthen... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3295354/trump-wants-visit-china-president-us-report-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3295354/trump-wants-visit-china-president-us-report-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jan 2025 23:54:58 +0000 Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng will attend US president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony in Washington on Monday – the first time that a senior Chinese leader has been present at such an event in the United States. China’s foreign ministry made the announcement on Friday morning, three days before the inauguration. According to media reports in November, Trump invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the ceremony. “We stand ready to work with the new US government to enhance... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3295107/chinese-vice-president-han-zheng-attend-trumps-inauguration?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3295107/chinese-vice-president-han-zheng-attend-trumps-inauguration?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:22:57 +0000 China appears unlikely to accept US president-elect Donald Trump’s invitation for Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration next month, given diplomatic protocol and historical precedent. There is no record of any Chinese head of state joining a US presidential transition ceremony. Since becoming China’s paramount leader, Xi has never attended such an event overseas, instead sending a special representative or envoy. It would also generally take rounds of preparation for a Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3290460/will-chinese-president-xi-jinping-attend-presidential-inauguration-trumps-invitation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3290460/will-chinese-president-xi-jinping-attend-presidential-inauguration-trumps-invitation?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Dec 2024 06:03:34 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick China has invited Colombia to join the Belt and Road Initiative and is “exploring the possibility of a free-trade agreement” with the South American country, Beijing’s ambassador to Bogota told local media. Zhu Jingyang’s remarks on the China-centred investment and infrastructure scheme spanning the globe came during a press conference on Tuesday to address topics raised during Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo’s visit to Beijing last week. The Chinese envoy said the invitation... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3282814/china-invites-colombia-join-belt-and-road-initiative-exploring-free-trade-agreement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3282814/china-invites-colombia-join-belt-and-road-initiative-exploring-free-trade-agreement?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Oct 2024 19:18:19 +0000 China has paid tribute to American “Flying Tiger” aircrew members in a ceremony commemorating the end of World War II, in the latest push to foster people-to-people relations between the two nations. For the first time, the names of more than 2,500 personnel who died fighting the Japanese on behalf of China have been published. At a ceremony in Nanjing, in eastern China’s Jiangsu province, on Tuesday, Chinese ambassador to the United States Xie Feng said the Flying Tiger spirit “will forever be... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3277181/china-honours-wwii-flying-tiger-pilots-amid-push-improve-people-people-ties-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3277181/china-honours-wwii-flying-tiger-pilots-amid-push-improve-people-people-ties-us?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Sep 2024 10:00:12 +0000 Brazilian Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin will arrive in Beijing on Saturday for week-long meetings with his Chinese counterpart Han Zheng, focusing on joint projects between the two countries addressing trade, infrastructure and climate-change strategies. Alckmin’s visit until June 7 for the Sino-Brazilian High-Level Commission for Consultation and Cooperation, also known as Cosban, is meant to revive the primary forum for ministerial dialogue between China and Brazil. The meeting, coming little... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3264981/brazilian-vice-president-visiting-china-week-meetings-trade-infrastructure-climate-change?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3264981/brazilian-vice-president-visiting-china-week-meetings-trade-infrastructure-climate-change?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 May 2024 19:25:38 +0000 China’s top leadership has gone all out to revive confidence and lure foreign investment in intensive meetings with foreign business leaders in recent days, setting out the “win-win opportunities ahead”, as Beijing seeks to achieve a seemingly challenging economic growth target for 2024. In a rare move, nearly all top-level officials responsible for economic affairs have met or have plans to meet with multinational executives, including during the annual China Development Forum which concluded... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3256803/chinas-foreign-investment-confidence-push-gathers-speed-top-officials-highlight-win-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3256803/chinas-foreign-investment-confidence-push-gathers-speed-top-officials-highlight-win-win?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Mar 2024 14:00:16 +0000 China showcased its ambitions and capabilities in shaping the future of global digital trade as it kicked off a major digital trade expo on Wednesday, promoting some of its most influential e-commerce players and advocating a digital Silk Road. President Xi Jinping said in a letter sent to the Global Digital Trade Expo that global digital trade “has become a new highlight of international trade” and China has established a “sound digital-trade governance system”. He said China hoped the five-day... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3242577/xi-jinping-champions-digital-trade-china-kicks-global-e-commerce-expo-further-silk-road-ambitions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3242577/xi-jinping-champions-digital-trade-china-kicks-global-e-commerce-expo-further-silk-road-ambitions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Nov 2023 10:00:15 +0000 China and Bhutan agreed to push for the early settlement of their border dispute and the establishment of diplomatic ties in what mainland observers described as “a breakthrough” in Beijing’s efforts to pull the Himalayan kingdom away from New Delhi. Wrapping up a new round of border talks in Beijing on Tuesday, the two countries signed a cooperation agreement on the responsibility and functions of a technical team for the delimitation and demarcation of the boundary. A joint press release... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3239177/big-test-india-china-and-bhutan-push-solve-border-dispute-and-establish-official-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3239177/big-test-india-china-and-bhutan-push-solve-border-dispute-and-establish-official-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Oct 2023 14:00:24 +0000 Beijing sent a welcoming message to US companies during a visit by American banker and former treasury secretary Henry Paulson, while urging Washington to expand “positive” policies and cut “negative” ones. Paulson, founder of the US-China policy think tank the Paulson Institute, was received on Tuesday by Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng and top diplomat Wang Yi, with the Chinese side expressing hopes to “bring bilateral ties back on the track of sound and steady growth” with Washington. “We... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3235933/china-us-relations-american-businesses-welcome-chinese-vice-president-han-zheng-tells-henry-paulson?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3235933/china-us-relations-american-businesses-welcome-chinese-vice-president-han-zheng-tells-henry-paulson?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Sep 2023 03:16:23 +0000 Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng will meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday, the US State Department confirmed. The announcement of a one-on-one meeting came after US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and China’s top diplomat Wang Yi spoke in Malta over the weekend. The Chinese foreign ministry announced on Friday that Han would attend the UN instead of Wang, who is in Russia this week for annual strategic... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3234904/china-us-ties-vice-president-han-meet-secretary-state-blinken-sidelines-un-general-assembly-monday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3234904/china-us-ties-vice-president-han-meet-secretary-state-blinken-sidelines-un-general-assembly-monday?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Sep 2023 04:37:57 +0000 Washington expects US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will host China’s foreign minister Wang Yi in the United States before year-end, whether at next week’s UN General Assembly (UNGA) or after, the State Department said on Monday. “I’ll let the Chinese Government speak to whether Wang Yi will or will not attend UNGA next week. But that said, whether it’s UNGA or whether it is after UNGA sometime before the end of the year, it is still our expectation that Secretary Blinken will host Foreign... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3234196/us-expects-top-diplomat-antony-blinken-will-host-chinas-wang-yi-year-end?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3234196/us-expects-top-diplomat-antony-blinken-will-host-chinas-wang-yi-year-end?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Sep 2023 20:31:55 +0000 China and the United Kingdom agreed to maintain communication to try to stabilise relations on Wednesday, as London sought to re-engage with Beijing after years of strained ties. Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng told visiting British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly that the relationship could be improved based on pragmatic cooperation and mutual respect. Cleverly is the first senior UK official to visit China since Jeremy Hunt travelled to Beijing as foreign secretary in 2018. Relations have... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3232795/china-uk-ties-cleverlys-visit-beijing-boosts-sound-and-stable-relations-china-says-vice-president?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3232795/china-uk-ties-cleverlys-visit-beijing-boosts-sound-and-stable-relations-china-says-vice-president?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Aug 2023 06:00:44 +0000 US climate envoy John Kerry ended his four-day visit to China on Wednesday with few breakthroughs, but observers said that while it would be hard for China and the US to work together on climate technology, it was still possible for them to cooperate on policy and share best practices. Kerry told a news conference on Wednesday that his talks with Chinese officials were “very productive”, adding that more work needed to be done. “We’re here to break new ground because we think that’s essential,”... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228548/china-and-us-can-still-cooperate-climate-policy-tech-remains-tricky-experts-say-wake-kerry-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228548/china-and-us-can-still-cooperate-climate-policy-tech-remains-tricky-experts-say-wake-kerry-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Jul 2023 14:00:14 +0000 Record-breaking temperatures around the world surely turned up the heat on US climate envoy John Kerry and his Chinese hosts as they met in Beijing this week seeking ways to cooperate on fighting climate change. Though the talks between Earth’s two biggest greenhouse gas emitters ended with no agreements, Kerry said there was a commitment to keep working “intensively”. Hopefully, that means a spark of trust can start to thaw a relationship in deep freeze. Kerry rounded off his four-day visit on... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3228395/global-hopes-rest-improved-climate-between-china-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3228395/global-hopes-rest-improved-climate-between-china-us?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Jul 2023 14:28:06 +0000 US climate envoy John Kerry ended his four-day visit to China on Wednesday by meeting Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng, after a series of talks that produced commitments to continue working “intensively” on efforts to fight global warming but ended without any agreements. Kerry told a news conference after the meetings wrapped up that his engagements had “been long and detailed”, adding: “We had very frank conversations. But we came here to break new ground, which we think is important at this... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228270/china-says-it-willing-work-us-fight-climate-change-greatest-common-good-john-kerry-wraps-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228270/china-says-it-willing-work-us-fight-climate-change-greatest-common-good-john-kerry-wraps-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:11:55 +0000 The United Kingdom’s foreign minister revealed on Thursday that he had raised the case of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, who holds a British passport and faces collusion charges in Hong Kong, with China’s vice-president earlier this month. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly reiterated his accusation that city authorities had used the Beijing-imposed national security legislation and the sedition law to “target prominent pro-democracy figures, journalists and politicians in an effort to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3221848/hong-kong-national-security-law-uk-foreign-minister-says-jimmy-lai-case-raised-chinas-vice-president?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3221848/hong-kong-national-security-law-uk-foreign-minister-says-jimmy-lai-case-raised-chinas-vice-president?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 May 2023 13:29:59 +0000 Liz Truss will visit Taiwan for five days next week, becoming the first former British prime minister to visit the self-ruled island in decades. With cross-strait tensions rising, Truss’ visit is certain to rile Beijing, which sees the island as its territory and has vowed to take it back, by force if necessary. It will also create a diplomatic headache for her successor, Rishi Sunak, who is seeking to re-engage Beijing after a period of strained relations, according to observers. Truss,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3220091/china-headache-or-help-rishi-sunak-former-british-pm-liz-truss-visit-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3220091/china-headache-or-help-rishi-sunak-former-british-pm-liz-truss-visit-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 May 2023 14:30:15 +0000 The coronation of King Charles III on Saturday will involve much traditional pomp and ceremony. Elements of the ritual date back 1,000 years. But Britain’s new sovereign must look to the future. Thousands will line the streets to watch the royal procession and millions will view the ceremony, the first coronation for 70 years, on television. There will be street parties on Sunday. The historic – and expensive – event, however, comes at a time when Britain is facing a cost-of-living crisis. Polls... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3219596/new-era-britain-dawns-hopes-better-china-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3219596/new-era-britain-dawns-hopes-better-china-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 May 2023 18:30:22 +0000 Chinese Executive Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang has been appointed as Beijing’s top official for Hong Kong and Macau affairs, but sources say Xia Baolong, the present head of the ministerial-level office, will stay on to ensure a smooth transition after its recent elevation to central party leadership level. The decision came just days after Beijing announced the restructuring of its top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs so it would answer to the Communist Party’s central leadership instead of... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3214351/mainland-china-executive-vice-premier-made-beijings-top-official-hong-kong-and-macau-affairs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3214351/mainland-china-executive-vice-premier-made-beijings-top-official-hong-kong-and-macau-affairs?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Mar 2023 14:39:23 +0000 Willa Wu Willa Wu A changing of the guard in mainland China’s corridors of power in favour of younger delegates and officials with closer ties to Hong Kong has underlined Beijing’s commitment to the city’s development, political analysts said after the annual “two sessions” parliamentary gatherings concluded. Seasoned observers said one notable change was the leadership overseeing Hong Kong and Macau affairs after Ding Xuexiang, 60, succeeded Han Zheng as executive vice-premier. Ding is widely tipped to also take... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3213529/whos-who-beijing-politics-after-two-sessions-reshuffle-good-news-hong-kong-analysts-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3213529/whos-who-beijing-politics-after-two-sessions-reshuffle-good-news-hong-kong-analysts-say?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Mar 2023 00:00:25 +0000 China’s Vice-Premier Han Zheng arrived in Singapore on Tuesday for a two-day work visit, in what analysts saw as a return of high-level interactions between the two countries after a period of relatively muted engagements due to the coronavirus pandemic. Observers also suggested there was added significance to Han’s trip – the most senior Chinese state leader to visit the city state since the pandemic broke out in 2020 – amid recent political changes in both countries. Han was part of the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3198014/chinas-han-zheng-singapore-bilateral-forum-sign-return-high-level-interactions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3198014/chinas-han-zheng-singapore-bilateral-forum-sign-return-high-level-interactions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Nov 2022 10:11:37 +0000 Top Communist Party leaders who have steered Beijing’s policies on Hong Kong and Macau in recent years have retired from the organisation’s top policymaking body, paving the way for a reshuffle of the elite team. Vice-Premier Han Zheng, who has chaired the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs since 2018, was not among the 205 Central Committee members announced on Saturday at the closing of the 20th party’s national congress. Besides approving the new Central Committee line-up,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3196903/key-leaders-beijings-hong-kong-macau-policies-make-way-china-entrenches-one-country-two-systems?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3196903/key-leaders-beijings-hong-kong-macau-policies-make-way-china-entrenches-one-country-two-systems?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Oct 2022 12:38:09 +0000 China will step up support for coal-fired power plants and miners to ensure stable energy supply, Vice-Premier Han Zheng has said, as a scorching summer heatwave drives electricity demand to record levels and threatens to cause hydropower shortages in the Yangtze River basin. Parts of southern China have been gripped by record temperatures and drought in recent months, with water levels in the country’s largest river, the Yangtze, at all-time lows. Most of the country’s major economic and... https://www.scmp.com/economy/article/3189381/china-boost-coal-use-drought-fuelled-power-shortages-trigger-electricity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/article/3189381/china-boost-coal-use-drought-fuelled-power-shortages-trigger-electricity?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Aug 2022 11:30:22 +0000 Beijing and Moscow are discussing long-term contracts to jointly develop coal deposits in Russia, the country’s deputy prime minister said on Wednesday. It comes as China is ramping up coal production to secure power supply for the winter months, as the country slowly recovers from its most severe energy crisis in decades – mainly caused by coal shortages. Speaking after a meeting of the Russia-China intergovernmental commission for energy cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak also... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3156556/beijing-moscow-talks-develop-coal-deposits-russia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3156556/beijing-moscow-talks-develop-coal-deposits-russia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Nov 2021 12:30:26 +0000 As official US-China exchanges slowed amid rising tensions, a Wall Street veteran visited Beijing for talks with a top leader – acting as a powerful backchannel for the two nations, the Post has learned. John Thornton, executive chairman of Barrick Gold Corp and a former Goldman Sachs president, met Chinese Vice-Premier Han Zheng in Beijing in late August, according to a person familiar with the details of the meeting. The key issues discussed included climate change, Xinjiang and conditions... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3150003/kissingers-secret-china-trip-recalled-wall-street-veteran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3150003/kissingers-secret-china-trip-recalled-wall-street-veteran?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Sep 2021 21:00:18 +0000 The Chinese state leader overseeing Hong Kong affairs and the creation of the Greater Bay Area has urged closer cooperation between the city and neighbouring Shenzhen in developing legal services, Xinhua has reported. Vice-Premier Han Zheng made the remarks during a weekend visit to Qianhai, an economic zone in southwest Shenzhen that Beijing recently announced would undergo a massive expansion aimed at creating a “world-class” service hub with even greater Hong Kong involvement. Han stressed... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3149485/chinese-vice-premier-calls-hong-kong-and-shenzhen-work-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3149485/chinese-vice-premier-calls-hong-kong-and-shenzhen-work-more?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Sep 2021 17:03:21 +0000 Shenzhen says it plans to add 1,130 hectares of land this year, a third of it for residential purposes, which will help it rein in runaway housing prices. The announcement on Sunday followed a rare visit by Chinese Vice-Premier Han Zheng, who was on an inspection tour of China’s southern Guangdong province from Friday to Sunday. According to the state-owned Xinhua news agency, he stressed the need to address housing issues in China’s big cities during the visit. “The increased land supply in... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3131141/shenzhen-step-land-supply-after-chinese-vice-premier-han-zheng-stresses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3131141/shenzhen-step-land-supply-after-chinese-vice-premier-han-zheng-stresses?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:16:26 +0000 President Xi Jinping will attend a virtual climate change summit hosted by his US counterpart Joe Biden on Thursday, the Chinese foreign ministry has confirmed. His attendance is a sign of cooperation between the US and China, after years of deteriorating relations on a range of issues, as well as a signal of Beijing’s intention to take a leadership position on the issue. Tracing China’s climate change journey from denial to decarbonisation Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Xi... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3130377/china-confirms-xi-jinping-will-attend-bidens-earth-hour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3130377/china-confirms-xi-jinping-will-attend-bidens-earth-hour?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Apr 2021 02:03:26 +0000 Correlation is not causation. But Hong Kong’s post-handover housing woes have coincided with the rise of radical localism and youthful rebellion. Han Zheng, senior vice-premier of the State Council in charge of Hong Kong and Macau affairs, is the latest state leader to call attention to the city’s housing problem, calling it deep-seated but saying it must be addressed, otherwise the whole community hurts. He was addressing a group of Hong Kong representatives during the “two sessions”. While the... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3125097/beijing-right-demand-housing-solution-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3125097/beijing-right-demand-housing-solution-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Mar 2021 19:17:35 +0000 Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s annual official trip to Beijing has been postponed, with sources pointing to the Covid-19 crisis in the city but others blaming also the busy schedules of top state officials for the delay. Since taking office in 2017, the chief executive has travelled to the capital every year before December 16 to brief President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and other senior leaders on the latest social, economic and political conditions in the city. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3113819/hong-kong-fourth-wave-carrie-lams-beijing-meeting-president?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3113819/hong-kong-fourth-wave-carrie-lams-beijing-meeting-president?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Dec 2020 03:19:48 +0000