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He Lifeng

The latest news on Chinese economist and politician He Lifeng, Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China, including political stories and updates.

Born

Feb 1955

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Vice Premier of China

President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump in Beijing on May 15. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Exclusive | Trump ‘personally called for China’s help’ to end Ukraine war in summit with Xi

Washington is also not happy about Beijing’s rare earth controls, according to people familiar with the talks.

2 Jun 2026 - 2:41PMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

AMD meeting with China’s vice-premier raises optimism on US AI chips

19 May 2026 - 7:30PM

2026 Xi-Trump summit

China, US agree to establish trade, investment councils after Xi-Trump summit

16 May 2026 - 11:05PM

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Boeing nears ‘large’ China orders as Trump and Xi forge new trade board: Bessent

Washington and Beijing will discuss the board to manage commercial ties, and there is a plan to ‘pregame’ investments to avoid national security blocks.

14 May 2026 - 8:34PM

President Xi Jinping shakes hands with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as US President Donald Trump looks on during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summit

The longest day – how the Xi-Trump summit reset China-US ties in 12 hours

The two leaders follow a morning of talks with a tour of the Temple of Heaven and a state banquet.

14 May 2026 - 8:41PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Leaving so soon? US, China hold briefest trade talks yet before leaders’ summit

The two delegations met in Seoul’s Incheon Airport, spoke for a few hours and skipped the press conferences typically held after earlier sessions.

13 May 2026 - 5:14PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summit

China and US teams race to find easy summit deliverables at meeting in Seoul

The two sides will seek to ‘iron out any last-minute issues’ in single day of talks, economist says.

13 May 2026 - 1:09PM

Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last met in person in Paris on March 16. Photo: Handout

2026 Xi-Trump summit

China-US trade talks kick off in Seoul ahead of high-profile leaders’ summit

Trade deals, export controls on critical minerals and the Iran war likely to be talking points as senior officials sit down for negotiations.

13 May 2026 - 11:55AM

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump taps Musk, Cook and other leaders for high-stakes China trade mission

Business delegation spanning tech, aviation and finance joins Beijing trip as trade, investment and supply chains top agenda.

13 May 2026 - 3:31AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summit

US-China negotiations seek a quick Seoul search for deals ahead of Trump’s visit

Setting stage for presidential summit with Xi in Beijing, Bessent and He to meet in South Korea, and the ‘3 Bs’ could be on the cards.

11 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Vice-Premier He Lifeng (right) gestures alongside US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before a meeting to discuss trade relations and tariffs on May 10, 2025, just over one year ago. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summit

China readies for Trump visit amid rebound in trade growth

Surging Chinese exports will bolster the nation’s position with the US as the two countries ready for trade talks and a presidential summit this week.

11 May 2026 - 5:03PM

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (left) and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng (right) last year. Photo: Keystone via AP

2026 Xi-Trump summit

China, US confirm Seoul trade talks days before Trump-Xi summit in Beijing

Meeting follows Paris round in March and a video call in April as both sides prepare for Trump’s state visit.

11 May 2026 - 4:17AM

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Are US Air Force C-17s flying cars into Beijing for Trump’s China trip?

American military cargo planes have been spotted at the Chinese capital’s main airport, suggesting that the high-stakes visit is still on.

3 May 2026 - 6:00PM

2026 Xi-Trump summit

US and Chinese officials air concerns in build-up to Trump’s Beijing visit

Despite the latest diplomatic initiatives, Beijing warns the US is threatening ‘hard-won stability’ with new smartphone restrictions.

1 May 2026 - 10:10PMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Exclusive | Trump ally to visit China as US turns up pressure before May summit

Republican senator to lead bipartisan delegation to China next week; visit will begin on May 1, with stops planned in Shanghai and Beijing.

24 Apr 2026 - 6:59PMvideocam

Chinese Premier Li Qiang greets US Senator Steve Daines ahead of their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 23, 2025. Photo: Pool via Reuters

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Exclusive | Trump-Xi summit shaped by uncertainty, not strategy: experts

War distractions and limited goals risk turning Beijing talks into optics over substance, as expectations shrink and planning falters.

15 Apr 2026 - 9:06AMvideocam

US-China trade war

As Xi-Trump summit approaches, tariffs continue to choke direct trade

Deficit with mainland hits two-decade low as trade shifts to Taiwan, Mexico and Vietnam amid tariff fallout and efforts to stabilise ties.

3 Apr 2026 - 5:42AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump-Xi summit: US trade chief casts doubt on pre-meeting Beijing visit

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says key Trump officials unlikely to meet Chinese counterparts, in a break from usual practice for talks.

1 Apr 2026 - 6:23AMvideocam

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer addresses the media after trade talks with the Chinese delegation in Paris in March. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

Trump pitches China trade ‘win’ to US farmers ahead of Xi meeting, midterms

Claims come despite farmers remaining unsure if China will meet its 25 million-tonne commitment for 2026, as planting season approaches.

28 Mar 2026 - 6:21AMvideocam

Banking & finance

HSBC vows to keep investing in China as new trade growth corridors emerge

HSBC’s CEO said financial institutions needed to ‘keep up’ with the rapid expansion of Chinese companies on their journey to ‘go global’.

22 Mar 2026 - 7:50PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

As Beijing and Washington negotiate new schedule for Trump’s visit, Daines is expected to meet US business leaders in Hong Kong on March 30.

20 Mar 2026 - 6:28PMvideocam

US Senator Steve Daines, who is expected to visit Hong Kong this month, has a long history with China, dating back to his position with Procter & Gamble in the 1990s. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Editorial | China policy to stay on course despite delay to Xi-Trump summit

Although Trump is on the back foot and China may have the advantage, this will not affect Beijing’s consistent approach in dealing with the US.

18 Mar 2026 - 7:15AM

Talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing had been scheduled for March 31 to April 2.

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump-Xi summit delay may suit China amid Iran war

Postponing Trump’s visit to Beijing could help avoid potential embarrassments linked to the Iran war and give more time to reach agreements.

17 Mar 2026 - 5:40PM

US-China trade war

China and the US end trade talks in Paris as doubts form over Trump visit

The two sides held deep, frank and constructive consultations, China’s top international negotiator says.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:39PMvideocam

US-China trade war

China and US trade talks off to a low-key start after first meeting in Paris

Discussions expected to focus on trade, investment and rare earths ahead of crucial Xi-Trump summit later this month in Beijing.

16 Mar 2026 - 9:33AMvideocam

The Chinese delegation arrives in Paris for trade talks with the United States on Sunday. The first meeting between the world’s two biggest economies proved to be a low-key affair. Photo: EPA

US-China trade war

US-China trade talks: what to expect as senior officials meet in Paris

Both sides have short-term incentives to maintain their ‘trade truce’ so they can focus on dealing with domestic issues, analysts say.

14 Mar 2026 - 2:33AMvideocam

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, left, shakes hands with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng during trade talks in Geneva, Switzerland, last year. The two officials are set to lead another round of talks in Paris this weekend. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Exclusive | Sanctioned Rubio to visit China with Trump despite earlier missed opportunities

The formerly hawkish US secretary of state has been sanctioned by Beijing and sources say he has previously appeared reluctant to visit.

13 Mar 2026 - 6:18AMvideocam

US-China trade war

Trump’s tariff investigation ‘bluff’ will not work on China, analysts warn

Beijing has grown wise to the US president’s ‘art of the deal’ tactics and will not be fazed by the new Section 301 investigations, analysts say.

12 Mar 2026 - 7:00PM

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He Lifeng

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Trump ‘personally called for China’s help’ to end Ukraine war in summit with Xi

Washington is also not happy about Beijing’s rare earth controls, according to people familiar with the talks.

AMD meeting with China’s vice-premier raises optimism on US AI chips

China, US agree to establish trade, investment councils after Xi-Trump summit

Boeing nears ‘large’ China orders as Trump and Xi forge new trade board: Bessent

Washington and Beijing will discuss the board to manage commercial ties, and there is a plan to ‘pregame’ investments to avoid national security blocks.

The longest day – how the Xi-Trump summit reset China-US ties in 12 hours

The two leaders follow a morning of talks with a tour of the Temple of Heaven and a state banquet.

Leaving so soon? US, China hold briefest trade talks yet before leaders’ summit

The two delegations met in Seoul’s Incheon Airport, spoke for a few hours and skipped the press conferences typically held after earlier sessions.

China and US teams race to find easy summit deliverables at meeting in Seoul

The two sides will seek to ‘iron out any last-minute issues’ in single day of talks, economist says.

China-US trade talks kick off in Seoul ahead of high-profile leaders’ summit

Trade deals, export controls on critical minerals and the Iran war likely to be talking points as senior officials sit down for negotiations.

Trump taps Musk, Cook and other leaders for high-stakes China trade mission

Business delegation spanning tech, aviation and finance joins Beijing trip as trade, investment and supply chains top agenda.

US-China negotiations seek a quick Seoul search for deals ahead of Trump’s visit

Setting stage for presidential summit with Xi in Beijing, Bessent and He to meet in South Korea, and the ‘3 Bs’ could be on the cards.

China readies for Trump visit amid rebound in trade growth

Surging Chinese exports will bolster the nation’s position with the US as the two countries ready for trade talks and a presidential summit this week.

China, US confirm Seoul trade talks days before Trump-Xi summit in Beijing

Meeting follows Paris round in March and a video call in April as both sides prepare for Trump’s state visit.

Are US Air Force C-17s flying cars into Beijing for Trump’s China trip?

American military cargo planes have been spotted at the Chinese capital’s main airport, suggesting that the high-stakes visit is still on.

US and Chinese officials air concerns in build-up to Trump’s Beijing visit

Despite the latest diplomatic initiatives, Beijing warns the US is threatening ‘hard-won stability’ with new smartphone restrictions.

Exclusive | Trump ally to visit China as US turns up pressure before May summit

Republican senator to lead bipartisan delegation to China next week; visit will begin on May 1, with stops planned in Shanghai and Beijing.

Exclusive | Trump-Xi summit shaped by uncertainty, not strategy: experts

War distractions and limited goals risk turning Beijing talks into optics over substance, as expectations shrink and planning falters.

As Xi-Trump summit approaches, tariffs continue to choke direct trade

Deficit with mainland hits two-decade low as trade shifts to Taiwan, Mexico and Vietnam amid tariff fallout and efforts to stabilise ties.

Trump-Xi summit: US trade chief casts doubt on pre-meeting Beijing visit

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says key Trump officials unlikely to meet Chinese counterparts, in a break from usual practice for talks.

Trump pitches China trade ‘win’ to US farmers ahead of Xi meeting, midterms

Claims come despite farmers remaining unsure if China will meet its 25 million-tonne commitment for 2026, as planting season approaches.

HSBC vows to keep investing in China as new trade growth corridors emerge

HSBC’s CEO said financial institutions needed to ‘keep up’ with the rapid expansion of Chinese companies on their journey to ‘go global’.

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

As Beijing and Washington negotiate new schedule for Trump’s visit, Daines is expected to meet US business leaders in Hong Kong on March 30.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | China policy to stay on course despite delay to Xi-Trump summit

Although Trump is on the back foot and China may have the advantage, this will not affect Beijing’s consistent approach in dealing with the US.

Trump-Xi summit delay may suit China amid Iran war

Postponing Trump’s visit to Beijing could help avoid potential embarrassments linked to the Iran war and give more time to reach agreements.

China and the US end trade talks in Paris as doubts form over Trump visit

The two sides held deep, frank and constructive consultations, China’s top international negotiator says.

China and US trade talks off to a low-key start after first meeting in Paris

Discussions expected to focus on trade, investment and rare earths ahead of crucial Xi-Trump summit later this month in Beijing.

US-China trade talks: what to expect as senior officials meet in Paris

Both sides have short-term incentives to maintain their ‘trade truce’ so they can focus on dealing with domestic issues, analysts say.

Exclusive | Sanctioned Rubio to visit China with Trump despite earlier missed opportunities

The formerly hawkish US secretary of state has been sanctioned by Beijing and sources say he has previously appeared reluctant to visit.

Trump’s tariff investigation ‘bluff’ will not work on China, analysts warn

Beijing has grown wise to the US president’s ‘art of the deal’ tactics and will not be fazed by the new Section 301 investigations, analysts say.

Exclusive | Trump ‘personally called for China’s help’ to end Ukraine war in summit with Xi

Editorial | China policy to stay on course despite delay to Xi-Trump summit