https://www.scmp.com/rss/518007/feed The latest news on Chinese politician Zhao Leji, including political stories and updates. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The China Development Forum and the Boao Forum for Asia closely follow the annual “two sessions” of China’s top legislative and political advisory bodies. What set them apart this year is that they also followed the endorsement of the country’s 15th five-year plan. Therefore, they have been an opportunity for Chinese leaders to engage directly with foreign officials and business leaders to explain China’s economic strategy and policies. In the past, foreigners wondered how much of a five-year... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348114/international-forums-underscore-chinas-enduring-push-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348114/international-forums-underscore-chinas-enduring-push-open?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 23:15:13 +0000 Vanessa Cai Vanessa Cai China could lead the way in Asia in forging new pathways for plurilateral cooperation, Singapore’s prime minister has said, calling for smaller groups of like-minded countries to work together to address challenges in multilateralism. Delivering a keynote address at the Boao Forum for Asia on Thursday, Lawrence Wong also said Beijing could spearhead areas such as AI governance and play a greater role in promoting economic prosperity across Asia, noting Singapore was willing to collaborate with... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3347989/singapore-leader-sees-china-helping-small-groups-realise-big-results-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3347989/singapore-leader-sees-china-helping-small-groups-realise-big-results-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:00:44 +0000 Ji Siqi Ji Siqi As the US-Israeli war on Iran continues, China’s top legislator, Zhao Leji, has told the Boao Forum for Asia – a high-level gathering of governments and business leaders – that power politics should be rejected in favour of economic development and conflicts should be resolved through negotiations. “The people of Asia, having endured the scourge of war and chaos, deeply understand the value of peace and stability,” said Zhao, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347963/iran-war-rages-china-links-peace-economic-growth-boao-forum?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347963/iran-war-rages-china-links-peace-economic-growth-boao-forum?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 06:39:36 +0000 Danny Mok,Natalie Wong Danny Mok,Natalie Wong Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will arrive in Hong Kong on Thursday for a three-day visit, meeting the city’s leader, politicians and businesspeople, and will also examine key sites in the Northern Metropolis megaproject to explore collaboration opportunities. It will be Wong’s first working visit to Hong Kong since he assumed office as Singapore’s fourth prime minister in May 2024. The visit will follow Wong’s attendance at the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference in Hainan province,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3347743/singapores-lawrence-wong-visit-hong-kong-after-boao-forum-trip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3347743/singapores-lawrence-wong-visit-hong-kong-after-boao-forum-trip?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:54:37 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Britain’s ties with China appeared to have reached a high when President Xi Jinping visited London in 2015. But in recent years, the relationship has severely fractured. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, ahead of his visit to Beijing this week, said it had gone from “the golden age to the ice age”. Now a thaw is under way. There is room for cautious optimism. Starmer, the first British leader to visit China since 2018, promised after his election victory in 2024 to reset the relationship. His trip,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3341872/starmers-visit-china-highlights-benefits-dialogue-over-confrontation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3341872/starmers-visit-china-highlights-benefits-dialogue-over-confrontation?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jan 2026 23:15:10 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen Premier Li Qiang called for multilateralism and free trade in his meeting with visiting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday and said China would promote cooperation in emerging fields such as high-end manufacturing, new energy and artificial intelligence (AI). Li said China aimed to expand “the breadth and depth of cooperation” to achieve more practical outcomes and was willing to expand market access and integration, according to Beijing’s account of the meeting. “We stand ready to... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3338952/li-qiang-and-lee-jae-myung-back-free-trade-and-multilateralism-during-beijing-talks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3338952/li-qiang-and-lee-jae-myung-back-free-trade-and-multilateralism-during-beijing-talks?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jan 2026 12:19:31 +0000 Fan Chen Fan Chen President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea will seek Beijing’s support on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and press to lift an unofficial cultural content ban when he travels to China for a state visit next week, according to Seoul. Lee’s four-day trip from Sunday will make him the first sitting South Korean president to visit China since 2019. Lee will first travel to Beijing, where he is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday afternoon, their second summit in two months. They... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3338558/china-state-visit-south-koreas-lee-will-push-denuclearisation-end-culture-ban?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3338558/china-state-visit-south-koreas-lee-will-push-denuclearisation-end-culture-ban?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Jan 2026 12:37:47 +0000 Zhao Ziwen Zhao Ziwen New Zealand’s largest naval vessel was followed by seven Chinese warships in a deployment to East Asia last month, including a rare transit through the Taiwan Strait, according to the Pacific nation’s military. The HMNZS Aotearoa, a Polar-class replenishment vessel, was deployed to the East China and Yellow seas with allies, the New Zealand Defence Force said in a statement on Monday. “During the operation, the ship was shadowed by seven different People’s Liberation Army (Navy) warships, which... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3335768/7-chinese-warships-followed-our-navy-vessel-its-east-asia-mission-new-zealand-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3335768/7-chinese-warships-followed-our-navy-vessel-its-east-asia-mission-new-zealand-says?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:59:04 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim French President Emmanuel Macron has started a three-day visit to China, where he is expected to confront thorny issues including Europe’s trade with Beijing and the Ukraine war. On Wednesday evening, Macron landed in Beijing at the start of his fourth visit to China, which will also include a trip to the southwestern city of Chengdu. He was given a red-carpet welcome by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with whom he had a brief exchange of words. The French leader is due to meet Chinese President Xi... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3335063/emmanuel-macron-begins-china-visit-eu-trade-ties-and-ukraine-war-high-agenda?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3335063/emmanuel-macron-begins-china-visit-eu-trade-ties-and-ukraine-war-high-agenda?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Dec 2025 09:51:37 +0000 Orange Wang Orange Wang China’s third most senior official and top legislator pledged “sincere” friendship with New Zealand and called for tighter economic links between the two countries during a four-day trip to the Pacific nation. Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), wrapped up his trip to New Zealand on Saturday, the first in two decades by the head of China’s top legislative body. The trip included a meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3333840/chinas-no-3-official-zhao-leji-calls-closer-new-zealand-trade-ties-landmark-trip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3333840/chinas-no-3-official-zhao-leji-calls-closer-new-zealand-trade-ties-landmark-trip?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Nov 2025 09:02:09 +0000 Orange Wang Orange Wang China and the US are not “rivals” or “enemies” but rather “partners”, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi told a bipartisan group of American lawmakers on a rare visit to China. During the meeting on Tuesday with the first US House of Representatives delegation to travel to mainland China in six years, Wang also called on Washington to treasure the “stabilising trend” in bilateral relations while upholding its “political commitments” to Beijing regarding Taiwan. Wang described the trip by the four... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3326656/chinas-wang-yi-hails-ice-breaking-us-house-delegation-visit-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3326656/chinas-wang-yi-hails-ice-breaking-us-house-delegation-visit-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 07:08:25 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick A high-ranking Chilean lawmaker is facing renewed scrutiny after records showed she helped arrange for a Chinese businessman to join an official parliamentary trip to China, where he coordinated logistics and took part in meetings with mainland authorities. Messages revealed by investigators on Thursday showed Karol Cariola, a member of Chile’s Communist Party and former president of the country’s Chamber of Deputies, may have used her position to benefit a Chinese national on several... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3315303/senior-chilean-lawmaker-investigated-over-actions-involving-chinese-businessman?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3315303/senior-chilean-lawmaker-investigated-over-actions-involving-chinese-businessman?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Jun 2025 17:20:20 +0000 Orange Wang,Alyssa Chen Orange Wang,Alyssa Chen China has “no fundamental conflict of interest” with New Zealand, President Xi Jinping told New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Beijing on Friday while calling for the constructive management of differences. “Both sides should adhere to mutual respect, seek common ground while acknowledging differences, and correctly view and manage their differences and disagreements,” Xi was quoted as saying by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. Just ahead of Luxon’s arrival in the Chinese capital... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3315257/china-new-zealand-have-no-conflict-interest-xi-jinping-tells-christopher-luxon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3315257/china-new-zealand-have-no-conflict-interest-xi-jinping-tells-christopher-luxon?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Jun 2025 10:57:42 +0000 Vanessa Cai Vanessa Cai China’s ruling Communist Party is preparing for a key annual conclave to be held later this year, with President Xi Jinping indicating that its focus will be the next five-year plan for the country’s economic and political goals. In instructions on its formulation, Xi said the party’s central leadership was “organising the drafting of a proposal for the 15th five-year plan”, according to a Xinhua report on Monday. A one-month online public consultation on the formulation of the plan was also... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3311578/china-getting-ready-key-meeting-discuss-its-next-5-year-plan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3311578/china-getting-ready-key-meeting-discuss-its-next-5-year-plan?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 May 2025 06:00:18 +0000 China’s third most senior official, Zhao Leji, has reappeared in public after missing the end of the country’s main political event due to ill health. Zhao, the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), met state media employees in Beijing on Wednesday to thank them for their coverage of the annual legislative session. Zhao, 68, missed Tuesday’s NPC closing ceremony because of a respiratory tract infection and left his deputy, Li Hongzhong, to preside over the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3302124/chinas-no-3-zhao-leji-returns-public-spotlight-after-missing-end-two-sessions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3302124/chinas-no-3-zhao-leji-returns-public-spotlight-after-missing-end-two-sessions?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Mar 2025 12:53:58 +0000 For the first time in recent history, the chairman of China’s top legislative body was absent on Tuesday at the closing of its parliamentary meeting known as the “two sessions”. Zhao Leji, 68, the third most senior official and the chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC), had taken leave because of a “respiratory tract infection”, according to his deputy, Li Hongzhong, who presided over the closing ceremony instead. Zhao’s last public appearance was at the first meeting of the NPC... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3301905/absence-chinas-third-top-official-two-sessions-closing-raises-eyebrows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3301905/absence-chinas-third-top-official-two-sessions-closing-raises-eyebrows?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Mar 2025 07:02:08 +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 Chinese President Xi Jinping called his country a “reliable friend” for Africa on Friday as China elevated ties with Angola amid a push to further expand Beijing’s influence among developing nations. During talks with Angolan President Joao Lourenco in Beijing, Xi said cooperation between the two countries – both developing economies – was based on “mutual help between good friends, reciprocity, and win-win cooperation”. “In a world that is undergoing both transformation and upheaval, the two... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3255642/focused-global-south-china-upgrades-ties-angola?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3255642/focused-global-south-china-upgrades-ties-angola?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 Mar 2024 14:00:14 +0000 The decision-making body of the Chinese legislature has pledged to this year advance revision of its defence education law, which mandates public awareness and education in support of the military. Zhao Leji, the chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC), delivered the committee work report on Friday during the annual meeting of the congress. He highlighted the revision of the National Defence Education Law as one of the legislative tasks of the year, with the aim of... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3254694/two-sessions-2024-chinas-revision-defence-education-law-aimed-promoting-patriotism-and-support?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3254694/two-sessions-2024-chinas-revision-defence-education-law-aimed-promoting-patriotism-and-support?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Mar 2024 11:00:34 +0000 China’s ongoing efforts to challenge the dominance of the West in global governance have been on show this week with the visit of Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio to Beijing. And according to observers, by winning support from developing countries like Sierra Leone, China is positioning itself as a voice for the Global South – offering an alternative to the largely Western leadership of international affairs. In a meeting with Bio at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3253839/sierra-leone-leaders-visit-china-shines-light-xi-jinpings-challenge-west?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3253839/sierra-leone-leaders-visit-china-shines-light-xi-jinpings-challenge-west?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 Mar 2024 02:00:14 +0000 China’s top official responsible for managing state secrets has pledged to strengthen information protection for all areas concerning national security alongside a campaign to make the public aware of their obligations, after amendments to the country’s state secrets law were passed on Tuesday. Li Zhaozong, head of the National Administration of State Secrets Protection, made the remarks in an article published on Wednesday in the Communist Party mouthpiece, the People’s Daily. The amended Law... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3253534/success-chinas-revised-state-secrets-law-depends-widespread-publicity-and-education-says-senior?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3253534/success-chinas-revised-state-secrets-law-depends-widespread-publicity-and-education-says-senior?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:00:21 +0000 China is willing to exchange notes with Djibouti on state governance and deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, the country’s top legislator has said. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s top legislative body, made the comments as he met Djiboutian counterpart Dileita Mohamed Dileita in Beijing on Tuesday to mark 45 years of diplomatic ties. “[China is] ready to deepen cooperation [with Djibouti] under the Belt and Road Initiative,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3249649/chinas-top-lawmaker-vows-share-governance-notes-djibouti-deepen-belt-and-road-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3249649/chinas-top-lawmaker-vows-share-governance-notes-djibouti-deepen-belt-and-road-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Jan 2024 13:00:27 +0000 Beijing has vowed to seize “strategic opportunities” and further raise its “international influence, appeal and power” to shape a rapidly changing world by strengthening Communist Party control of foreign affairs and standing firm against “bullying” and “hegemonism” from the West. At a rare closed-door party meeting about China’s future foreign policy direction that concluded on Thursday, President Xi Jinping also urged the country’s diplomats and cadres to “break new ground”, “rally the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3246631/fighting-spirit-xi-jinping-reveals-chinas-push-global-power-after-rare-closed-door-meeting-foreign?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3246631/fighting-spirit-xi-jinping-reveals-chinas-push-global-power-after-rare-closed-door-meeting-foreign?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Dec 2023 06:15:09 +0000 Among those at the very top of Chinese politics, President Xi Jinping has a smaller share of direct links with members of the Central Committee than he did five years ago, an analysis by the South China Morning Post has found. That means he must rely more on his lieutenants on the all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee to forge ties with the political elites of the ruling Communist Party. The findings are based on an iterative databank the Post has compiled since the 20th party congress last... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3245270/xi-jinping-relying-more-his-lieutenants-forge-ties-chinas-political-elites?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3245270/xi-jinping-relying-more-his-lieutenants-forge-ties-chinas-political-elites?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Dec 2023 22:00:23 +0000 China aims to strengthen its “everlasting” good relationship with Russia, President Xi Jinping has said, reiterating pledges made during Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin’s visit last month. Meeting top Russian lawmaker Vyacheslav Volodin in Beijing on Wednesday, Xi said the two countries shared vast common interests, and China was “ready to work with Russia to continuously deepen our everlasting good neighbourly relationship, comprehensive strategic cooperation and mutually beneficial win-win... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3242496/china-wants-deepen-everlasting-good-ties-russia-president-xi-jinping-tells-moscows-top-lawmaker?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3242496/china-wants-deepen-everlasting-good-ties-russia-president-xi-jinping-tells-moscows-top-lawmaker?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Nov 2023 14:48:32 +0000 Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday pledged more support on “national sovereignty, security, and development”, as Beijing grapples with tensions in the Indo-Pacific. During a visit to Beijing, Hun Manet also promised to improve law enforcement and security cooperation to crack down on cyber scams in Southeast Asia, activities that that often target Chinese nationals. “Regardless of changes in the international and regional situations, China has always... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3234716/china-cambodia-pledge-stronger-ties-xi-jinping-welcomes-new-pm-hun-manet-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3234716/china-cambodia-pledge-stronger-ties-xi-jinping-welcomes-new-pm-hun-manet-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Sep 2023 10:02:20 +0000 Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will pay a two-day official visit to China this week where he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, China’s foreign ministry announced on Monday. The trip from Thursday will be Hun Manet’s first bilateral visit and one of his first overseas trips since becoming prime minister in August. He attended the gathering of Asean leaders in Jakarta last week. “It reflects the great importance that the new Cambodian government attaches to the development of... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3234234/new-cambodian-pm-hun-manet-visit-china-and-meet-president-xi-jinping-week-during-65th-anniversary?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3234234/new-cambodian-pm-hun-manet-visit-china-and-meet-president-xi-jinping-week-during-65th-anniversary?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Sep 2023 06:42:26 +0000 China and Vietnam have agreed to cooperate on an “effective code of conduct in the South China Sea” and “low sensitivity” marine areas, in the latest show of strong ties between the Asian neighbours despite territorial disputes. In a joint statement following a high-profile visit to China by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the two sides reaffirmed their pledge to work together to reach “a substantive and effective code of conduct in the South China Sea that is consistent with... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3226180/china-vietnam-reaffirm-pledge-work-together-south-china-sea-code-conduct?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3226180/china-vietnam-reaffirm-pledge-work-together-south-china-sea-code-conduct?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jun 2023 14:00:14 +0000 When Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki visited Beijing last month, President Xi Jinping was there to greet him with a guard of honour, a 21-gun salute and a welcome banquet at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People. It was a sharp contrast to the United States in December when Afewerki was not even invited to the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington. Eritrea is heavily sanctioned by Western nations for alleged human rights abuses but Xi told Afewerki that Beijing “opposes external... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3225939/why-china-gives-africas-leaders-red-carpet-treatment-and-chance-ask-favours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3225939/why-china-gives-africas-leaders-red-carpet-treatment-and-chance-ask-favours?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jun 2023 12:00:09 +0000 New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, ahead of his official trip to China at end of this month, said on Thursday he did not agree with US President Joe Biden’s remark that Chinese leader Xi Jinping was a dictator. “No, and the form of government that China has is a matter for the Chinese people,” Hipkins told reporters. Asked by a reporter whether the Chinese people had a say in the form of government, Hipkins said: “if they wanted to change their system of government, then that would be a... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3224969/new-zealand-pm-chris-hipkins-disagrees-biden-says-xi-jinping-not-dictator?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3224969/new-zealand-pm-chris-hipkins-disagrees-biden-says-xi-jinping-not-dictator?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Jun 2023 04:35:07 +0000 China is facing more complex and difficult national security concerns, President Xi Jinping warned on Tuesday, in comments analysts said showed the country harboured no “illusions” about the possible damaging effects of its rivalry with the US and had little hope of a lasting improvement in ties. The remarks from Xi came as he chaired a meeting of the National Security Commission, his first since securing an unprecedented third term as leader of China’s ruling Communist Party at its 20th... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3222477/china-facing-more-complex-security-challenges-president-xi-jinping-says-warns-worst-case-situation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3222477/china-facing-more-complex-security-challenges-president-xi-jinping-says-warns-worst-case-situation?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 31 May 2023 11:14:09 +0000 Chinese President Xi Jinping rolled out the red carpet for his Brazilian counterpart in Beijing on Friday, pledging to work with Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to take bilateral ties to new heights. In a meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Xi first congratulated Lula on his third term in office and thanked him for making the trip after a recent illness. “You came from afar soon after recovery. This shows the great importance you attach to the relationship between our two countries,” Xi said,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3217130/china-rolls-out-red-carpet-brazils-president-lula-pledge-elevate-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3217130/china-rolls-out-red-carpet-brazils-president-lula-pledge-elevate-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Apr 2023 13:26:30 +0000 Chinese President Xi Jinping called on China and France to press for a political solution to resolve the ongoing Ukraine crisis in a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday. Xi said the two nations should work together to reduce the spillover effect of the Ukraine war in the food, energy, finance and transport sectors, while Macron urged Beijing to help bring an end to the war. “China is willing to call on the international community, along with France, to maintain rationality... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3216147/premier-li-qiang-says-china-values-ties-france-and-consensus-macrons-visit-will-make-them-stronger?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3216147/premier-li-qiang-says-china-values-ties-france-and-consensus-macrons-visit-will-make-them-stronger?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Apr 2023 05:09:27 +0000 The war in Ukraine and economic relations will be top of the agenda when French President Emmanuel Macron visits China this week. China’s foreign ministry confirmed on Monday that Macron’s three-day trip will start on Wednesday and include a meeting with President Xi Jinping. “President Xi Jinping will hold talks with him to jointly plan and lead the future development of Sino-French relations, and deepen cooperation between China, France and Europe in various fields,” ministry spokeswoman Mao... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3215861/war-ukraine-headline-macron-xi-talks-french-presidents-china-trip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3215861/war-ukraine-headline-macron-xi-talks-french-presidents-china-trip?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Apr 2023 11:00:38 +0000 Beijing and Singapore have agreed to upgrade their ties and extend cooperation to science and technology as well as supply chains, capping Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s week-long trip to China. In a joint statement on Saturday, both sides agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to an all-round, high-quality, future-oriented partnership, a move which they said reflected their “desire to set the strategic direction and chart the development of bilateral relations going forward”. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3215678/china-and-singapore-agree-upgrade-ties-paving-way-hi-tech-cooperation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3215678/china-and-singapore-agree-upgrade-ties-paving-way-hi-tech-cooperation?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Apr 2023 11:00:15 +0000 The separate visits to China this week by the leaders of Malaysia and Singapore will showcase how Southeast Asian countries are adopting a strategy of “proactively” engaging and bolstering economic ties with Beijing amid heightened superpower rivalry, analysts say. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong are among the world leaders who will attend this week’s Boao Forum for Asia, an annual conference formed in 2001 to promote economic integration in... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3215042/boao-forum-singapore-malaysia-showcase-proactive-china-diplomacy-dont-expect-any-fireworks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3215042/boao-forum-singapore-malaysia-showcase-proactive-china-diplomacy-dont-expect-any-fireworks?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Mar 2023 01:30:21 +0000 Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has landed in Guangzhou for a six-day official visit to China, the first since the pandemic started, and is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. Lee, who landed in the southern Chinese city on Monday afternoon, will also meet China’s new Premier Li Qiang and other high-level Communist Party officials, including Zhao Leji, the new head of the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislative body. According to a statement by the prime... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3214957/singaporean-pm-lee-hsien-loong-kicks-six-day-china-visit-set-meet-xi-jinping-and-speak-boao-forum?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3214957/singaporean-pm-lee-hsien-loong-kicks-six-day-china-visit-set-meet-xi-jinping-and-speak-boao-forum?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Mar 2023 04:24:15 +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 Former anti-corruption chief Zhao Leji was appointed as the new head of China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress (NPC), with a unanimous vote during the annual session of the national legislature on Friday. His appointment was followed by those of 14 vice-chairs to the NPC Standing Committee. They include nine executive chairmen of the NPC presidium. Among them are former Tianjin Communist Party boss Li Hongzhong, former Sichuan party boss Wang Dongming and outgoing secretary... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213054/former-anti-graft-chief-zhao-leji-appointed-chinas-top-lawmaker?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213054/former-anti-graft-chief-zhao-leji-appointed-chinas-top-lawmaker?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Mar 2023 06:00:38 +0000 Xi Jinping began an unprecedented third term as China’s president on Friday after he was endorsed by a unanimous vote from the National People’s Congress (NPC). Xi will head a hand-picked Communist Party and government team tasked with steering the world’s second-largest economy through challenges at home and abroad over the next five years. All 2,952 NPC members who attended Friday’s meeting voted for the president. In all, the legislative body has a membership of 2,977. Analysts say it will be... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3212973/xi-jinping-faces-stormy-sea-he-starts-third-term-chinas-president?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3212973/xi-jinping-faces-stormy-sea-he-starts-third-term-chinas-president?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Mar 2023 23:00:13 +0000 China’s No 4 official has urged Hong Kong delegates on the country’s top political advisory body to play a greater role in tackling housing, employment, youth and elderly issues in the city to ensure the steadfast implementation of the “one country, two systems” governing principle. Wang Huning, the fourth-ranking official in the Politburo Standing Committee of the ruling Communist Party, on Wednesday also told local delegates to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3212785/four-hopes-chinas-no-4-official-urges-hong-kong-delegates-play-bigger-role-housing-employment-youth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3212785/four-hopes-chinas-no-4-official-urges-hong-kong-delegates-play-bigger-role-housing-employment-youth?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Mar 2023 07:50:23 +0000 China’s No 3 official has urged Hong Kong to be “innovative” when solving governance and development issues, as well as telling local delegates to “take the lead” in opposing harmful acts against the “one country, two systems” principle. Zhao Leji, the third-highest ranking member of the Communist Party’s Politburo Standing Committee, on Tuesday told Hong Kong delegates to the National People’s Congress (NPC) that the city should use its strengths and make “new contributions” to the country’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3212660/chinas-no-3-official-tells-hong-kong-delegates-innovate-when-problem-solving-take-lead-opposing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3212660/chinas-no-3-official-tells-hong-kong-delegates-innovate-when-problem-solving-take-lead-opposing?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Mar 2023 08:37:20 +0000 China’s largest political gathering of the year, known as the “two sessions” begins on Saturday in Beijing. The event will see the announcement of new appointees to top government jobs in the wake of a major leadership reshuffle at last year’s Communist Party congress and the unveiling of the government’s policy agenda following the abrupt end to its strict zero-Covid policies. Here are the key questions about the meeting. What are the “two sessions”? The two sessions, or lianghui, refers to... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3212136/what-are-chinas-two-sessions-and-why-do-they-matter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3212136/what-are-chinas-two-sessions-and-why-do-they-matter?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Mar 2023 01:00:12 +0000 Bringing Taiwan back into the fold is the only way Beijing can achieve permanent peace with the island and avoid seeing Taiwan invaded by a foreign power, according to a new book written by top Communist Party ideologues. “Only through complete reunification of the motherland can compatriots on both sides be completely freed from the shadow of civil war and jointly create and share permanent peace across the Taiwan Strait,” an article included in the book said. The publication is the party’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3198399/reunifying-taiwan-only-way-stop-foreign-invasion-island-chinas-communist-party?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3198399/reunifying-taiwan-only-way-stop-foreign-invasion-island-chinas-communist-party?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Nov 2022 01:00:10 +0000 China’s new top decision-making body unveiled over the weekend comprises an unprecedented number of leaders with extensive links to Hong Kong in their previous roles and an ideologue who had long studied the city, making for a line-up analysts have suggested can lead to a smoother implementation of Beijing’s key policies related to Hong Kong. Pro-Beijing heavyweight Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai also said the new team would be “an asset” for Hong Kong as it could guide the city through an increasingly... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3197106/hong-kong-connection-what-6-chinas-top-leadership-team-including-xi-jinping-have-common?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3197106/hong-kong-connection-what-6-chinas-top-leadership-team-including-xi-jinping-have-common?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Oct 2022 00:00:17 +0000 Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping promoted four rising stars – Li Qiang, Li Xi, Ding Xuexiang and Cai Qi – to the country’s highest decision-making body, laying the foundation for his record-breaking third term and beyond. Together with veterans Wang Huning and Zhao Leji, the seven will form the new Politburo Standing Committee. The combination of experienced and fresh faces will support the president and his policies for the next five years, a period Xi described as of “unparalleled... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3196967/chinese-president-xi-jinping-looks-fresh-faces-confront-new-term-unparalleled-complexity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3196967/chinese-president-xi-jinping-looks-fresh-faces-confront-new-term-unparalleled-complexity?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Oct 2022 15:08:00 +0000 When Li Qiang, the Communist Party chief of Shanghai, followed President Xi Jinping onto the stage at the Great Hall of the People as the second-ranking Politburo Standing Committee member, he became the obvious choice to be anointed China’s next premier at the annual legislative session in March. But the promotion of Li, 63, was not always a shoo-in, particularly after the debacle of Shanghai’s Covid-19 lockdown last spring. The constitutional limit of two terms means Li Keqiang, 67, must step... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3196959/chinas-li-qiang-shakes-shanghai-covid-chaos-enter-communist-party-inner-circle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3196959/chinas-li-qiang-shakes-shanghai-covid-chaos-enter-communist-party-inner-circle?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Oct 2022 12:29:17 +0000 The Chinese Communist Party’s new leadership team was unveiled on Sunday, but the one question that remains unanswered is whether it includes a successor to Xi Jinping. Xi, who has been confirmed for an unprecedented third five-year term as the party’s general secretary, did not promote an obvious successor at the end of his first term in 2017. In contrast, when Xi was promoted to the Politburo Standing Committee in 2007 he was widely tipped to succeed Hu Jintao five years later. Hu had also... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3196953/no-obvious-successor-xi-jinping-chinese-communist-partys-new-leadership-team?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3196953/no-obvious-successor-xi-jinping-chinese-communist-partys-new-leadership-team?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Oct 2022 10:01:28 +0000 This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping has unveiled his main supporting cast for his record-breaking third term, promoting rising stars Li Qiang, Li Xi, Ding Xuexiang and Cai Qi to the country’s highest decision-making body. Together with ideology tsar Wang Huning, and former anti-corruption chief Zhao Leji, they make up the new seven-member Politburo Standing... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3196935/chinese-president-xi-jinping-unveils-new-team-his-record-breaking-third-term?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3196935/chinese-president-xi-jinping-unveils-new-team-his-record-breaking-third-term?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Oct 2022 04:06:56 +0000 On the last day of the Communist Party’s week-long national congress, the spotlight was momentarily focused on the unexpected departure of former Chinese president Hu Jintao from the stage at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. While the exact reason for Hu’s premature exit remains unclear, footage of his confused departure was widely discussed online. A reporter for state news agency Xinhua wrote on Twitter late on Saturday that Hu’s early departure was related to his health. “Hu Jintao... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3196899/former-chinese-president-hu-jintaos-congress-exit-break-communist-party-script?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3196899/former-chinese-president-hu-jintaos-congress-exit-break-communist-party-script?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Oct 2022 12:10:44 +0000