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Chen Jining

The latest news on Chinese environmental scientist and politician, Chen Jining, ex-mayor of Beijing and currently the Chinese Communist Party Committee Secretary of Shanghai, including political stories and updates.

Born

4 Feb 1964

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Communist Party of China Party Secretary of Shanghai

The party leadership has been actively recruiting leading scientists. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Communist Party

Why leading Chinese scientists are rising to the top in the Communist Party

The number of members from the country’s elite research academies in a key decision-making body has doubled in the course of a decade.

21 Apr 2026 - 11:00AM

China manufacturing

Shanghai unveils US$10 billion investment spree as US-China tech race heats up

7 Jan 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

7 scientists, mathematicians, physicists and experts who moved to China in 2025

24 Dec 2025 - 4:15PM

Hong Kong economy

GoGlobal Task Force draws 500 firms to trade event promoting Hong Kong as base

Hong Kong officials promote city’s advantages as global connector at conference in Shanghai, alongside China International Import Expo.

6 Nov 2025 - 10:48PM

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (front row centre) and other senior officials and delegates at the conference in Shanghai. Photo: Handout

Science

China bids farewell to Nobel Prize-winning physicist Chen-ning Yang

President Xi Jinping sends a wreath to commemorate the late professor, who died in Beijing at the age of 103 last week.

25 Oct 2025 - 5:17PM

Artificial intelligence

Open Questions | The ‘godfather of AI’ Geoffrey Hinton on preventing takeover by the technology

The ‘godfather of AI’ discusses the risks of the technology and whether superpowers can find common ground to rein it in.

4 Sep 2025 - 11:26AM

Open Questions series

Open Questions | ‘Godfather of AI’ Hinton on making computers care about humans

Nobel Prize winner Geoffrey Hinton discusses advances in AI, how to prevent a computer uprising, and the US-China race to develop artificial superintelligence.

28 Aug 2025 - 3:01PM

China-New Zealand relations

‘No conflict of interest’ between China and New Zealand, Xi tells Luxon

New Zealand leader’s China trip focuses on trade and tourism, but differences over Pacific island ties cast a shadow.

20 Jun 2025 - 6:57PM

Electric & new energy vehicles

EVs | China to crack down on EV self-driving technology, ‘autonomous driving’ claims

Beijing warns EV makers and technology providers to adhere to development rules and take care not to overstate capabilities.

17 Apr 2025 - 7:46PMvideocam

Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s lidar sensor firms Hesai, RoboSense stand to gain after fatal EV crash

Adoption of the laser-based sensors will increase as consumers demand safe self-driving systems, analysts say.

3 Apr 2025 - 8:43PM

A long-range automotive lidar (light detection and ranging) sensor made by Hesai. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong property

Exclusive | Hong Kong online broker rents shop in one of the world’s costliest retail strips

Futu could be paying HK$1.2 million (US$154,000) per month in rent, a steal compared to the HK$8.6 million in monthly rent that Burberry paid in 2018.

3 Apr 2025 - 7:26PM

Renovation work at the venue of the former Transformers Ark restaurant on Russell Street, Causeway Bay on March 26, 2025. Photo: SCMP

Electric & new energy vehicles

Zeekr joins China’s autonomous-driving race, to unveil tech at Shanghai car show

New York-listed Zeekr, which finalised a merger with Lynk on Friday, will reveal its L3 self-driving system in April.

14 Feb 2025 - 8:53PM

Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD to add autopilot system to lure buyers amid China’s EV price war

At least 21 EV models will be fitted with the system, bringing down the entry cost for EVs with autonomous driving capabilities.

11 Feb 2025 - 3:29PMvideocam

US-China relations

US-China relations: veteran Chinese diplomat vows to help build sustainable ties

International Department chief Liu pledges to promote ‘Track 1.5 diplomacy’ during an exchange with a US think tank.

9 Jan 2024 - 10:24PMvideocam

During a talk hosted by a US think tank, veteran Communist Party diplomat Liu Jianchao urged both sides to promote practical cooperation in various fields such as economy and trade, to achieve visible results and to improve public confidence in China-US relations. Photo: Getty Images

Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla secures site in Shanghai to build its Megapack battery factory

The US carmaker will produce 10,000 massive batteries a year at the Megafactory in Shanghai’s Lingang free-trade zone when construction of the plant is complete.

22 Dec 2023 - 5:00PMvideocam

It will be Tesla’s first manufacturing facility for energy-storage batteries outside the US. Photo: SCMP Handout

China’s Communist Party

China’s premier, top officials pay tribute to late AI visionary Tang Xiao’ou

Li Qiang, Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang among Chinese leaders paying respects to the leading facial recognition expert and SenseTime co-founder, who died Friday.

20 Dec 2023 - 11:39PMvideocam

US-China relations

Opinion | US-China rivalry: it’s the science, stupid

While we hear a lot about ideology and nationalism, we hear less about how China is promoting scientists and technocrats to senior political posts. It’s clear then that Beijing is dreaming of scientific breakthroughs, not bombing Taipei. And science can bring China and the US together.

2 Dec 2023 - 6:03AMvideocam

US-China relations

China and US pledge to revive academic ties in confidence-building push

Education groups from both countries meet for the first time since the pandemic, promising to encourage exchanges.

14 Nov 2023 - 10:19PM

Top education bodies in China and the US are seeking to rebuild academic ties between the two countries. Photo: Shutterstock

China stock market

Hong Kong leader John Lee pursues stronger economic ties with Shanghai at CIIE 2023

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has urged the strengthening of economic ties between Shanghai and Hong Kong to build world-class tech start-ups.

6 Nov 2023 - 12:22PM

China property

Shanghai economic demand seen driven by US rate cuts in 2024: govt adviser

Shanghai’s economy, dealt a double blow by China’s troubled property sector and the nation’s tumbling stock market this year, could see better days in 2024 when the US is widely expected to lower interest rates, a government economic adviser said

24 Oct 2023 - 7:00AM

Electric & new energy vehicles

Shanghai mayor vows to attract more foreign firms like Tesla, Boston Scientific

Mayor Gong Zheng said more landmark deals are in the works as Shanghai tries to burnish its image as an international investment magnet.

15 Oct 2023 - 9:30PMvideocam

An aerial photo of Tesla’s Shanghai gigafactory seen on September 26, 2023. Photo: Xinhua

US-China relations

China’s commerce chief presses US Senate leader Schumer on trade restrictions

During ‘rational and pragmatic’ talks on Monday, Wang Wentao told Chuck Schumer that China wants the US to define its security boundaries.

10 Oct 2023 - 4:57PMvideocam

Security boundaries and fair trade rules dominated talks between US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao during talks on Monday. Photo: MOFCOM

US-China relations

China, US need not go head to head, Xi Jinping tells American senators

‘World can accommodate China and the US in their respective development’, Xi tells team led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer during Monday’s meeting.

9 Oct 2023 - 11:05PMvideocam

US-China relations

US senators defy backlash at home to test China’s engagement first-hand

After a 4-year pause, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer is leading lawmakers for ‘direct, candid and respectful’ conversations with Chinese leadership.

9 Oct 2023 - 4:08AMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

Leading Chinese car engineer given provincial leadership role in Hubei

The appointment of Shao Xinyu comes as the leadership is seeking to promote more officials with science and technology backgrounds.

29 Sep 2023 - 9:23PMvideocam

Shao Xinyu has been given a provincial leadership role in Hubei. Photo: Weibo

US-China relations

‘Important beginning’ as Raimondo ends China trip at Boeing, Disneyland

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo visited Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services, New York University Shanghai and Disneyland on the last day of her four-day trip to China.

30 Aug 2023 - 10:18PM

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is escorted by officials as she tours Shanghai Disneyland. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s Kerry ‘confident in China’ as it starts work on Shanghai project

Kerry Properties has broken ground on a massive mixed-use project in Shanghai, just two months after it won a tender for a prime site in the city centre.

24 Aug 2023 - 10:11PM

Censorship

Chinese eco-warrior Chai Jing back in the spotlight with terrorism series

Chai ignited public discussion about air pollution in 2015 with a documentary that fell foul of censors.

15 Aug 2023 - 1:28AMvideocam

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Chen Jining

Why leading Chinese scientists are rising to the top in the Communist Party

The number of members from the country’s elite research academies in a key decision-making body has doubled in the course of a decade.

Shanghai unveils US$10 billion investment spree as US-China tech race heats up

7 scientists, mathematicians, physicists and experts who moved to China in 2025

GoGlobal Task Force draws 500 firms to trade event promoting Hong Kong as base

Hong Kong officials promote city’s advantages as global connector at conference in Shanghai, alongside China International Import Expo.

China bids farewell to Nobel Prize-winning physicist Chen-ning Yang

President Xi Jinping sends a wreath to commemorate the late professor, who died in Beijing at the age of 103 last week.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Open Questions | The ‘godfather of AI’ Geoffrey Hinton on preventing takeover by the technology

The ‘godfather of AI’ discusses the risks of the technology and whether superpowers can find common ground to rein it in.

Open Questions | ‘Godfather of AI’ Hinton on making computers care about humans

Nobel Prize winner Geoffrey Hinton discusses advances in AI, how to prevent a computer uprising, and the US-China race to develop artificial superintelligence.

‘No conflict of interest’ between China and New Zealand, Xi tells Luxon

New Zealand leader’s China trip focuses on trade and tourism, but differences over Pacific island ties cast a shadow.

EVs | China to crack down on EV self-driving technology, ‘autonomous driving’ claims

Beijing warns EV makers and technology providers to adhere to development rules and take care not to overstate capabilities.

China’s lidar sensor firms Hesai, RoboSense stand to gain after fatal EV crash

Adoption of the laser-based sensors will increase as consumers demand safe self-driving systems, analysts say.

Exclusive | Hong Kong online broker rents shop in one of the world’s costliest retail strips

Futu could be paying HK$1.2 million (US$154,000) per month in rent, a steal compared to the HK$8.6 million in monthly rent that Burberry paid in 2018.

Zeekr joins China’s autonomous-driving race, to unveil tech at Shanghai car show

New York-listed Zeekr, which finalised a merger with Lynk on Friday, will reveal its L3 self-driving system in April.

BYD to add autopilot system to lure buyers amid China’s EV price war

At least 21 EV models will be fitted with the system, bringing down the entry cost for EVs with autonomous driving capabilities.

US-China relations: veteran Chinese diplomat vows to help build sustainable ties

International Department chief Liu pledges to promote ‘Track 1.5 diplomacy’ during an exchange with a US think tank.

Tesla secures site in Shanghai to build its Megapack battery factory

The US carmaker will produce 10,000 massive batteries a year at the Megafactory in Shanghai’s Lingang free-trade zone when construction of the plant is complete.

China’s premier, top officials pay tribute to late AI visionary Tang Xiao’ou

Li Qiang, Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang among Chinese leaders paying respects to the leading facial recognition expert and SenseTime co-founder, who died Friday.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | US-China rivalry: it’s the science, stupid

While we hear a lot about ideology and nationalism, we hear less about how China is promoting scientists and technocrats to senior political posts. It’s clear then that Beijing is dreaming of scientific breakthroughs, not bombing Taipei. And science can bring China and the US together.

China and US pledge to revive academic ties in confidence-building push

Education groups from both countries meet for the first time since the pandemic, promising to encourage exchanges.

Hong Kong leader John Lee pursues stronger economic ties with Shanghai at CIIE 2023

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has urged the strengthening of economic ties between Shanghai and Hong Kong to build world-class tech start-ups.

Shanghai economic demand seen driven by US rate cuts in 2024: govt adviser

Shanghai’s economy, dealt a double blow by China’s troubled property sector and the nation’s tumbling stock market this year, could see better days in 2024 when the US is widely expected to lower interest rates, a government economic adviser said

Shanghai mayor vows to attract more foreign firms like Tesla, Boston Scientific

Mayor Gong Zheng said more landmark deals are in the works as Shanghai tries to burnish its image as an international investment magnet.

China’s commerce chief presses US Senate leader Schumer on trade restrictions

During ‘rational and pragmatic’ talks on Monday, Wang Wentao told Chuck Schumer that China wants the US to define its security boundaries.

China, US need not go head to head, Xi Jinping tells American senators

‘World can accommodate China and the US in their respective development’, Xi tells team led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer during Monday’s meeting.

US senators defy backlash at home to test China’s engagement first-hand

After a 4-year pause, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer is leading lawmakers for ‘direct, candid and respectful’ conversations with Chinese leadership.

Leading Chinese car engineer given provincial leadership role in Hubei

The appointment of Shao Xinyu comes as the leadership is seeking to promote more officials with science and technology backgrounds.

‘Important beginning’ as Raimondo ends China trip at Boeing, Disneyland

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo visited Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services, New York University Shanghai and Disneyland on the last day of her four-day trip to China.

Hong Kong’s Kerry ‘confident in China’ as it starts work on Shanghai project

Kerry Properties has broken ground on a massive mixed-use project in Shanghai, just two months after it won a tender for a prime site in the city centre.

Chinese eco-warrior Chai Jing back in the spotlight with terrorism series

Chai ignited public discussion about air pollution in 2015 with a documentary that fell foul of censors.

Open Questions | The ‘godfather of AI’ Geoffrey Hinton on preventing takeover by the technology

Opinion | US-China rivalry: it’s the science, stupid