https://www.scmp.com/rss/514727/feed Two Sessions refers to China's annual parliamentary meetings, where the two main political bodies of China - the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) - reveal plans for China's policies involving the economy, military, trade, diplomacy, the environment and more. This year’s event will be the first after China dropped its three-year-old Covid-19 restrictions. It will see a major reshuffle of top government... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3246603/video-two-sessions-chinas-most-important-political-meetings-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3246603/video-two-sessions-chinas-most-important-political-meetings-year?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Dec 2023 03:45:44 +0000 The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), a major domestic funding source for basic research and frontier exploration, has launched a new programme to finance dozens of projects focused on “chiplet” technology, which is seen as a short cut for the country to achieve semiconductor self-sufficiency amid US sanctions. The NSFC, which is under the Ministry of Science and Technology, plans to provide up to 46 million yuan (US$6.4 million) in funding for as many as 30 research projects... https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3229760/chinas-natural-science-fund-supports-new-chiplet-tech-research-advance-semiconductor-self?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3229760/chinas-natural-science-fund-supports-new-chiplet-tech-research-advance-semiconductor-self?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Aug 2023 00:00:15 +0000 Is China still investible? This has been a hot topic. Experts all over the world have been expressing all kinds of views, many of which are quite different and even contradictory. For investors and entrepreneurs seriously thinking of doing business in China, this leads to three main puzzles: how to understand China’s economy correctly; how to assess its potential and risks comprehensively; and how to access the Chinese market conveniently. First, how to understand China’s economy correctly.... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3215440/right-keys-china-still-most-attractive-investment-option?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3215440/right-keys-china-still-most-attractive-investment-option?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Apr 2023 00:15:13 +0000 One of China’s new vice-premiers, He Lifeng, has begun working on tasks related to monetary issues and foreign investment, indicating his new role in overseeing the two areas. On Sunday, the 68-year-old Politburo member met visiting International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva to discuss international economic and financial situations, according to a Xinhua report. The Ministry of Commerce on Monday also announced that He would deliver an address at a ministry-organised... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3215007/vice-premier-he-lifeng-will-oversee-chinas-monetary-issues-and-foreign-investment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3215007/vice-premier-he-lifeng-will-oversee-chinas-monetary-issues-and-foreign-investment?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Mar 2023 11:14:47 +0000 A number of significant messages delivered by China’s leadership at the “two sessions” of the National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference have further shed light on how Hong Kong can chart its course for the future in an increasingly competitive and intensely unsettled world. There is no question that the world has embarked on a new era, one characterised by growing global geopolitical tension, shaky international financial markets, regional military... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3214454/signs-hong-kong-chinas-two-sessions-were-promising?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3214454/signs-hong-kong-chinas-two-sessions-were-promising?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Mar 2023 22:45:09 +0000 China’s new cabinet members have started work in their roles, indicating their areas of responsibility. On Thursday, Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong chaired national agriculture meetings, and State Councillor Shen Yiqin began an inspection tour for employment and civil affairs. The cabinet took shape about two weeks ago after China’s national legislature appointed Li Qiang as the country’s new premier, as well as four vice-premiers and five state councillors, who are ranked above ministers. China’s Xi... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3214738/chinas-new-cabinet-leaders-get-work-key-assignments-are-revealed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3214738/chinas-new-cabinet-leaders-get-work-key-assignments-are-revealed?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Mar 2023 11:00:10 +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 China’s “two sessions” – the annual meetings of the legislature and political advisory body – which wrapped up last week in Beijing, are always eagerly watched by investors around the world. This year, along with the tailwinds of China’s reopening, the meetings point to promising areas for international engagement and economic cooperation. First, the newly appointed cabinet is familiar with the market economy and private sector, and well-placed to promote China’s integration with the global... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3214019/two-sessions-china-has-shown-its-eagerness-do-business-and-engage-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3214019/two-sessions-china-has-shown-its-eagerness-do-business-and-engage-world?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Mar 2023 07:45:11 +0000 Global Impact is a weekly curated newsletter featuring a news topic originating in China with a significant macro impact for our newsreaders around the world. Sign up now! Finally, the dust has settled on China’s “two sessions” for another year. China’s National People’s Congress has confirmed a new government, with old hands retaining top posts within the central bank, finance ministry and other key economic agencies, including technology. The team will support new Premier Li Qiang in ensuring... https://www.scmp.com/economy/article/3214235/global-impact-chinas-two-sessions-may-be-over-svb-aukus-and-ukraine-create-uncertainty-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/article/3214235/global-impact-chinas-two-sessions-may-be-over-svb-aukus-and-ukraine-create-uncertainty-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Mar 2023 06:00:12 +0000 Beijing announced on Thursday that its top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs will be restructured to report directly to the Communist Party’s central leadership instead of the State Council. Observers said the office’s elevation had underscored Hong Kong’s importance to the country’s overall development plans and the leadership’s intention to secure the city from national security threats amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Overhaul of top Hong Kong affairs office good for work on policies:... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3214076/how-understand-elevation-beijings-top-office-hong-kong-affairs-city-more-special-now-analysts-unpack?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3214076/how-understand-elevation-beijings-top-office-hong-kong-affairs-city-more-special-now-analysts-unpack?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Mar 2023 11:31:07 +0000 China’s Communist Party will directly oversee science and technology with the creation of a central commission as part of a plan to counter US-led attempts to contain development of Chinese technology. Under the plan, released by the party’s Central Committee and the State Council on Thursday, the commission will improve the party’s “centralised and unified leadership” of “science and technology work”. The commission will coordinate and promote the creation of a “national innovation system”,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3213939/chinas-communist-party-take-science-and-tech-reins-break-through-us-containment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3213939/chinas-communist-party-take-science-and-tech-reins-break-through-us-containment?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Mar 2023 14:30:09 +0000 China released in full its party and state overhaul plan on Thursday, revealing a strengthened “party-state” with more Communist Party control over crucial domains such as finance, science and technology and grass-roots governance, according to observers. Under the plan, bodies will be set up under the party’s Central Committee to oversee finance, science and technology, and the top office overseeing Hong Kong and Macau affairs will report directly to the Central Committee instead of the State... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213956/chinas-latest-reforms-strengthen-communist-party-control-over-finance-science-and-tech?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213956/chinas-latest-reforms-strengthen-communist-party-control-over-finance-science-and-tech?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Mar 2023 13:23:40 +0000 China’s ruling Communist Party will set up a social work department under its powerful Central Committee, a move aimed at tightening control over non-public sectors and grass-roots organs. The department will “coordinate and guide” the handling of petitions from the public and the soliciting of public opinion, according to a reform plan for party and state institutions released by the Central Committee and the State Council, China’s cabinet, on Thursday. It will also “lead” the work of industry... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213893/china-seeks-tighten-grip-new-social-work-department?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213893/china-seeks-tighten-grip-new-social-work-department?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Mar 2023 10:30:17 +0000 https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3213847/video-chinas-li-qiang-shakes-shanghai-covid-chaos-become-new-premier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3213847/video-chinas-li-qiang-shakes-shanghai-covid-chaos-become-new-premier?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Mar 2023 04:24:05 +0000 The Chinese leadership on Thursday unveiled details of a plan to overhaul state and Communist Party organs to strengthen control over the financial sector and boost the development of science and technology in the face of what President Xi Jinping believes will be an increasingly turbulent and chaotic external environment. The plan includes the establishment of dedicated bodies under the party’s Central Committee to oversee these sectors and Hong Kong and Macau affairs. The move comes at a time... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213801/why-us-factor-xi-jinpings-communist-party-restructuring-plans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213801/why-us-factor-xi-jinpings-communist-party-restructuring-plans?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Mar 2023 23:00:22 +0000 Beijing’s top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs will be restructured into a higher-level outfit reporting directly to the Communist Party’s central leadership in a move seen as a de facto promotion for the body and underscoring the city’s importance to the country’s overall development plans. Sources familiar with the shake-up said Xia Baolong, director of the present Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), would stay on as head of the new body to continue to supervise and implement the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3213778/beijings-key-office-hong-kong-affairs-answer-directly-chinas-top-communist-party-leadership?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3213778/beijings-key-office-hong-kong-affairs-answer-directly-chinas-top-communist-party-leadership?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Mar 2023 10:52:03 +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 A lengthy article published on Monday by state news agency Xinhua has shed new light on the criteria Beijing uses to select its top government officials, with political loyalty as the most important trait. It was a rare disclosure about the standards, including age and rank, for nominating and elevating top officials for the State Council, the National People’s Congress, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the Central Military Commission. The article said new... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213512/how-does-china-pick-top-officials-beijing-mouthpiece-sheds-new-light-secretive-standards?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213512/how-does-china-pick-top-officials-beijing-mouthpiece-sheds-new-light-secretive-standards?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Mar 2023 22:00:19 +0000 In the face of deglobalisation, with the world becoming less interconnected, Chinese multinationals should strive to uphold the tenets of economic globalisation while embracing localisation in their overseas operations, according to a prominent Chinese businessman and lawmaker. Li Dongsheng, a deputy to the National People’s Congress (NPC) and founder and chairman of Chinese electronics giant TCL Technology, also recommends that Chinese companies investing overseas strengthen local research and... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3213497/overseas-chinese-firms-should-better-integrate-foreign-communities-businessman-lawmaker-urges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3213497/overseas-chinese-firms-should-better-integrate-foreign-communities-businessman-lawmaker-urges?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Mar 2023 12:30:18 +0000 China’s brokering of a landmark peace plan between Iran and Saudi Arabia last week is a much-needed diplomatic victory for Beijing and its new foreign policy team that was unveiled at the end of the “two sessions” meeting this week. Beijing has seized the opportunity to stick a finger in Washington’s eye by showcasing its diplomatic prowess in the Middle East, where America’s role as a security provider is under question. However, much remains to be done to counter US-led “all-round containment,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3213498/mideast-plan-shows-chinas-diplomatic-strength-while-foreign-affairs-reshuffle-filled-intrigue-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3213498/mideast-plan-shows-chinas-diplomatic-strength-while-foreign-affairs-reshuffle-filled-intrigue-and?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Mar 2023 10:28:33 +0000 The chances for high-level military discussions between the United States and China in the near future appeared unlikely as Washington showed no indication it would remove China’s new defence minister from a sanctions list, analysts said. Lifting the sanctions on General Li Shangfu is considered a necessary step by Beijing for such talks to resume between the Pentagon and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), but that appeared doubtful, according to Zhou Bo, a senior fellow from the Centre for... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3213398/are-us-sanctions-chinas-new-defence-chief-real-barrier-dialogue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3213398/are-us-sanctions-chinas-new-defence-chief-real-barrier-dialogue?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Mar 2023 10:00:23 +0000 As he faced the media for the first time as premier on Monday, Li Qiang focused on boosting confidence – in China’s ailing economy and its private sector, and among foreign investors. Li, 63, the former Communist Party chief of Shanghai, was confirmed by the national legislature as the new premier on Saturday and comes into the job as China confronts a series of domestic and international challenges to the economy. In addition to weak consumer and private sector confidence, the country is... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213400/chinese-premier-li-qiang-launches-confidence-drive-aimed-private-sector-and-foreign-investors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213400/chinese-premier-li-qiang-launches-confidence-drive-aimed-private-sector-and-foreign-investors?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Mar 2023 14:30:17 +0000 Beijing has shown a cautious stance on Taiwan policy throughout its annual parliamentary sessions, trying to play down speculation that the island would become the next Ukraine as cross-strait tensions rise. China will actively promote the “peaceful development” of cross-strait relations, President Xi Jinping told the nation’s top legislature on Monday, days after securing an unprecedented third term. External interference and separatist “Taiwan independence” activities would be resolutely... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213403/china-two-sessions-2023-xi-jinping-vows-peaceful-taiwan-ties-caution-marks-cross-strait-tone-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213403/china-two-sessions-2023-xi-jinping-vows-peaceful-taiwan-ties-caution-marks-cross-strait-tone-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Mar 2023 13:48:17 +0000 When his first press conference as premier was over on Monday morning, Li Qiang’s foreign policy footprint appeared even smaller than that of his predecessor Li Keqiang. During the 1½-hour highly choreographed gathering of domestic and international media after the close of the National People’s Congress’ annual session, Li Qiang answered just one question on diplomacy – a query about US-China relations from an Uzbek journalist. Li did not touch on challenging questions such as security or... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213382/chinese-premier-li-qiang-stays-close-home-his-first-big-turn-national-stage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213382/chinese-premier-li-qiang-stays-close-home-his-first-big-turn-national-stage?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Mar 2023 13:00:15 +0000 With his plan to send “bureaucrats sitting in offices” out to consult people on the front line, China’s newly appointed premier Li Qiang intends to bring his down-to-earth work style in Zhejiang province to the country’s new government team, observers said. Li, a long-time aide to President Xi Jinping, was endorsed as premier on Saturday by China’s legislature, and revealed the direction at his debut press conference in the role after the National People’s Congress closing ceremony on Monday. Li... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213379/chinas-two-sessions-li-qiang-brings-down-earth-style-premier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213379/chinas-two-sessions-li-qiang-brings-down-earth-style-premier?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Mar 2023 10:44:44 +0000 While China’s new premier, Li Qiang, devoted limited time to foreign affairs in his first press conference after taking office, he did single out the destructive economic effects of a decoupling from the United States. In the traditional media event on Monday at the close of the “two sessions” parliamentary meetings in Beijing, Li took only one question on foreign affairs – from a reporter from the Dubai-based China Arab TV. It was a striking contrast to his predecessor Li Keqiang, who usually... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3213363/chinas-two-sessions-li-qiang-takes-one-foreign-affairs-question-us-china-decoupling?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3213363/chinas-two-sessions-li-qiang-takes-one-foreign-affairs-question-us-china-decoupling?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:22:42 +0000 China’s “two sessions”, the annual meetings of China’s legislature and top political advisory body, have successfully concluded. This carries special significance as it is the first such event since last October’s party congress. The 14th National People’s Congress elected a new state leadership in its first session. Xi Jinping was unanimously re-elected president and reappointed chairman of the Central Military Commission, which reflected the will of the whole party, the military and people of... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3213264/under-xi-jinping-chinas-development-will-power-global-economy-and-strengthen-world-peace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3213264/under-xi-jinping-chinas-development-will-power-global-economy-and-strengthen-world-peace?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Mar 2023 08:30:12 +0000 China must balance growth and security in pursuing national rejuvenation, President Xi Jinping said in a short keynote speech on Monday, marking the beginning of his unprecedented third term. He said China’s “great rejuvenation” was now an “irreversible historical process” after a century of struggle that had “wiped out the nation’s humiliation”. For the first time, Xi publicly mentioned his third term and vowed to achieve the goals he set out in the 20th Communist Party congress: returning... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213302/china-two-sessions-2023-president-xi-jinping-begins-third-term-urging-balance-growth-and-security?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213302/china-two-sessions-2023-president-xi-jinping-begins-third-term-urging-balance-growth-and-security?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Mar 2023 02:26:49 +0000 This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing and get 25 per cent off an annual plan. China’s new premier, Li Qiang, holds his first press conference following the closing ceremony of the National People’s Congress on Monday. As a long-time aide to President Xi Jinping, Li is expected to have more leeway to express his thoughts in public without being seen as a challenge to Xi. His responses offer signs... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213301/chinas-two-sessions-2023-road-ahead-according-premier-li-qiang?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213301/chinas-two-sessions-2023-road-ahead-according-premier-li-qiang?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Mar 2023 02:21:01 +0000 Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged his support for the economic growth of Hong Kong, emphasising its long-term prosperity and stability were “inseparable” from the creation of a strong country, and vowing to “firmly advance” the “one country, two systems” governing principle. Xi also called for the city to integrate into China’s overall development as he delivered his keynote speech at the closing ceremony of the annual “two sessions” in Beijing on Monday. “Promoting the building of a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3213297/xi-jinping-stresses-hong-kongs-role-chinas-development-he-kicks-third-term-president?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3213297/xi-jinping-stresses-hong-kongs-role-chinas-development-he-kicks-third-term-president?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Mar 2023 02:05:36 +0000 National ID cards should be the sole form of identification to register internet accounts, a Chinese lawmaker has suggested in a proposal that he said could help combat fraud. Cheng Wei, a deputy to the National People’s Congress, said internet service providers and telecommunication operators should team up to establish a registration system to combat rampant online and phone scams. “[We] should amend the current internet registration system which is based on and verified mostly by mobile phone... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213261/chinas-two-sessions-2023-link-id-cards-internet-accounts-rein-online-scams-says-lawmaker?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213261/chinas-two-sessions-2023-link-id-cards-internet-accounts-rein-online-scams-says-lawmaker?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Mar 2023 22:00:14 +0000 The college entrance exam bar for English should be lowered to ease pressure on students and help narrow the gap between rural and urban schools, according to a Chinese lawmaker. National People’s Congress deputy Tuo Qingming said English was a time-consuming subject and only added to the burden on students. “[The subject] has limited practical value for many people,” he said on the sidelines of the annual legislative meeting in Beijing. “For a considerable number of people, learning a foreign... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213251/chinas-two-sessions-2023-cut-english-exam-burden-students-lawmaker-urges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213251/chinas-two-sessions-2023-cut-english-exam-burden-students-lawmaker-urges?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Mar 2023 12:00:09 +0000 Shen Yiqin, former Communist Party chief of the southern Chinese province of Guizhou, has been appointed one of the country’s five state councillors, becoming the most senior woman official in the leadership. The appointment came five months after Beijing unveiled its first all-male Politburo in 20 years. Experts said that while her appointment showed there was a path for women in politics in China, the glass ceiling limited their chances of promotion, undermining the quality of decision-making... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213253/state-councillor-shen-yiqin-one-woman-top-chinese-politics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213253/state-councillor-shen-yiqin-one-woman-top-chinese-politics?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Mar 2023 11:00:10 +0000 Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has been appointed as a state councillor, in a consolidation of President Xi Jinping’s new foreign policy line-up as Beijing presents itself as a global leadership alternative to the United States. The move also completes the reshuffle of top diplomatic personnel at the start of Xi’s historic third term. Qin was appointed to the post along with four other members of the State Council, the central government’s executive branch. The promotions of Wu Zhenglong,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213256/chinas-two-sessions-2023-qin-gang-named-state-councillor-latest-move-marking-foreign-ministers-rapid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213256/chinas-two-sessions-2023-qin-gang-named-state-councillor-latest-move-marking-foreign-ministers-rapid?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Mar 2023 10:49:56 +0000 Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to win greater policy support from Beijing as he leads the largest delegation in recent years to the capital to meet mainland Chinese officials during a week-long trip. Ahead of his departure, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Sunday said eight bureau chiefs, out of 15 in total, were accompanying him, while sources told the Post the Ministry of Finance would be among their first stops, followed by the ones for foreign affairs and culture and tourism. “This... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3213255/hong-kong-leader-john-lee-pledges-gain-more-policy-support-beijing-he-leads-largest-delegation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3213255/hong-kong-leader-john-lee-pledges-gain-more-policy-support-beijing-he-leads-largest-delegation?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Mar 2023 09:27:12 +0000 Former Jiangsu Communist Party chief Wu Zhenglong, a former subordinate of Premier Li Qiang, has been named a state councillor to help steer the new cabinet. Wu was voted in on Sunday by the national legislature on the second last day of its annual session in Beijing. Wu, who will be the cabinet’s secretary general, is among the five state councillors nominated by the new premier, together with Defence Minister Li Shangfu, Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong, former Guizhou provincial party... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213252/chinas-two-sessions-2023-wu-zhenglong-takes-top-state-council-post-help-steer-cabinet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213252/chinas-two-sessions-2023-wu-zhenglong-takes-top-state-council-post-help-steer-cabinet?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Mar 2023 09:00:11 +0000 As a foreign-educated economist who once had tenure as a distinguished professor at a US university, Yi Gang cuts a distinct figure among China’s army of beige bureaucrats. And he has unexpectedly secured a second five-year term as head of the central bank, extending his leadership role despite having reached retirement age this year. This gives him the chance to serve longer than usual, and it is particularly eye-catching given that the country has ushered in a mostly new administration under... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3213245/who-chinese-economist-yi-gang-us-educated-governor-peoples-bank-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3213245/who-chinese-economist-yi-gang-us-educated-governor-peoples-bank-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Mar 2023 07:00:55 +0000 A military aerospace veteran, a senior police officer and a seasoned Communist Party security hand will form the core team to handle China’s external and internal threats for the next five years, as the party consolidates its control over security matters. Li Shangfu will be the country’s new defence minister, Wang Xiaohong the head of public security, and Chen Yixin in charge of state security in a cabinet line-up approved by the National People’s Congress on Sunday. Li and Wang were also named... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213239/chinas-two-sessions-2023-who-will-take-top-security-jobs-next-5-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213239/chinas-two-sessions-2023-who-will-take-top-security-jobs-next-5-years?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Mar 2023 04:08:06 +0000 China’s legislature has kept the leading roles at the central bank and the Ministry of Finance unchanged, retaining two key members of the new government’s economic hierarchy as the country looks to double down on curbing stubborn financial risks and technological bottlenecks during President Xi Jinping’s third five-year term. And the retention of the two senior officials, Yi Gang and Liu Kun – both of whom are past retirement age and no longer members of the Communist Party’s elite Central... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3213235/chinas-two-sessions-central-bank-and-finance-chiefs-retain-spots-cabinet-shake?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3213235/chinas-two-sessions-central-bank-and-finance-chiefs-retain-spots-cabinet-shake?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Mar 2023 02:52:11 +0000 Global Impact is a weekly curated newsletter featuring a news topic originating in China with a significant macro impact for our newsreaders around the world. Sign up now! It is never boring for a China watcher to observe the “two sessions”, one of the most important events on Beijing’s political calendar. This year, a sense of urgency has surfaced to spearhead technological development and guard against economic headwinds. With Xi Jinping starting a norm-breaking third term as the leader of the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/article/3213087/global-impact-what-did-we-learn-chinas-two-sessions-so-far?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/article/3213087/global-impact-what-did-we-learn-chinas-two-sessions-so-far?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Mar 2023 22:30:09 +0000 China is developing a record-breaking dredger 50 per cent more powerful than its existing “super island builder”, the project’s chief engineer said. The new self-propelled suction dredger being developed will feature a 10,000kW reamer, the first in the world, according to Qin Bin, chief engineer of the Tianjin Waterway Bureau, a subsidiary of the state-owned China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). In comparison, its predecessor the Tian Jing – the main vessel involved in building... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3213206/china-develops-dredger-more-powerful-artificial-island-builder-south-china-sea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3213206/china-develops-dredger-more-powerful-artificial-island-builder-south-china-sea?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Mar 2023 22:00:17 +0000 China should speed up the development of its own ChatGPT-like language models to benefit industry and the public alike, a top Chinese legislator has urged. Hailing large language products as “likely the biggest leap in artificial intelligence technology”, Liu Qingfeng, founder and chairman of voice recognition firm iFlytek, said China’s cognitive intelligence models still lagged considerably behind the best chatbots in the world. Given the enormous industrial opportunities and vast social... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3213197/china-playing-catch-chatgpt-world-chinese-lawmaker-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3213197/china-playing-catch-chatgpt-world-chinese-lawmaker-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Mar 2023 12:30:10 +0000 The National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, announced it has filled key positions in the country’s top prosecutor’s office, its highest court and a leading anti-corruption agency. Ying Yong, vice-director of the NPC’s Constitution and Law Committee and deputy procurator-general of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, was selected to take over as procurator-general on Saturday during the annual meeting of the legislature. Ying, 65, gained attention in 2020 as the Communist Party... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213194/chinas-two-sessions-2023-beijing-fills-top-prosecutor-judge-and-anti-corruption-positions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213194/chinas-two-sessions-2023-beijing-fills-top-prosecutor-judge-and-anti-corruption-positions?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Mar 2023 09:33:19 +0000 Foreigners working and studying in China should first pass a Chinese-language exam similar to the English proficiency tests that overseas universities require of international students. That was the suggestion Zhou Xiaoping, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, put to the advisory body’s annual session, which ended on Saturday. Zhou, who offered no data to support his claims, said foreign students were at times treated better in China than local students, resulting... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213191/make-foreign-students-china-pass-mandarin-test-top-adviser-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213191/make-foreign-students-china-pass-mandarin-test-top-adviser-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Mar 2023 09:02:53 +0000 Lilian Cheng,Kahon Chan,Willa Wu Lilian Cheng,Kahon Chan,Willa Wu Starry Lee Wai-king, the leader of Hong Kong’s largest political party, has vowed to strengthen communication with the central government as she succeeded veteran politician Tam Yiu-chung to become the city’s sole member of the national legislature’s apex body. Lee, 48, became the youngest Hong Kong member yet to join the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, after being elected by 2,901 delegates on Saturday during the annual parliamentary meetings in Beijing, while 35 people... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3213175/starry-lee-becomes-sole-hong-kong-member-nations-top-legislative-body-succeeding-veteran-politician?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3213175/starry-lee-becomes-sole-hong-kong-member-nations-top-legislative-body-succeeding-veteran-politician?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Mar 2023 03:39:06 +0000 Li Qiang, a long-time aide of President Xi Jinping, was confirmed as China’s premier – its No 2 official – on Saturday with a resounding vote from members of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s top legislature. He was endorsed by 2,936 of the 2,947 NPC members who attended Saturday’s meeting, with three voting against and eight abstaining. Xi and Li chatted before and after the vote, which also approved appointments to the country’s top supervision job as well as its top judge... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3213174/li-qiang-chinas-new-premier-how-much-power-will-he-wield?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3213174/li-qiang-chinas-new-premier-how-much-power-will-he-wield?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Mar 2023 03:30:29 +0000 A Chinese parliamentary deputy has called for legislation to ban the mistreatment of pets – a move that would address a long-standing legal loophole. “The number of pets and scale of the industry has reached a high level in the country, but miseries like animal torture have been frequently exposed online,” Tang Lijun, a Sichuan-based veterinary surgeon and a delegate to the National People’s Congress, told local news site Thecover.cn on Tuesday. China’s state media calls for new animal laws... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213108/chinas-two-sessions-2023-lawmaker-calls-legal-protections-pets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213108/chinas-two-sessions-2023-lawmaker-calls-legal-protections-pets?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Mar 2023 01:00:15 +0000 Hong Kong should tap its strengths in global connectivity to drive the nation’s post-Covid economic recovery and be more outspoken to clarify misunderstandings about the country amid escalating geopolitical tensions, local delegates have said as they summed up key takeaways from annual political gatherings in the capital. The local members of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), who have started their new five-year terms, were... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3213157/beijing-urges-hong-kong-tap-global-connectivity-and-help-drive-national-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3213157/beijing-urges-hong-kong-tap-global-connectivity-and-help-drive-national-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Mar 2023 00:00:23 +0000 There have been calls to introduce wartime legislation in China, which has vowed to defend the country’s sovereignty and national interests with military force if needed. The calls came from People’s Liberation Army deputies to the National People’s Congress – the national legislature, which is holding its annual gathering in Beijing. According to a summary of their suggestions released on Tuesday, PLA deputies commented on what they called an urgent need for wartime legislation as they reviewed... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3213146/chinas-two-sessions-pla-deputies-push-wartime-legislation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3213146/chinas-two-sessions-pla-deputies-push-wartime-legislation?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Mar 2023 22:00:20 +0000 The municipal government of Chengdu, China’s inland electronics and technology hub, is offering up to 500 million yuan (US$72 million) in subsidies to local semiconductor companies for major chip projects, as more cities answer the central government’s call to boost development of the country’s integrated circuit (IC) industry amid a tech war with the US. Local authorities in Chengdu, capital of southwestern Sichuan province, unveiled the subsidies on Thursday as part of 12 new policies to... https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3213119/tech-war-southwestern-tech-hub-chengdu-offers-us72-million-subsidies-local-semiconductor-projects?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3213119/tech-war-southwestern-tech-hub-chengdu-offers-us72-million-subsidies-local-semiconductor-projects?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Mar 2023 11:30:08 +0000