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Hu Xijin

(胡锡进)

Hu Xijin

胡锡进

The latest news and top stories on Hu Xijin, the former editor-in-chief of the Global Times from 2005 to 2021. A former foreign correspondent covering the Bosnian War, he is a political commentator and one of China’s key opinion leaders. His work often involves nationalistic commentary and defending Beijing’s policies.

Russia aims to conscript 261,000 of its citizens into the military this year. Photo: EPA

Ukraine war

China ‘reminds’ its male citizens in Russia about Moscow’s military service law

Men applying for long-term Russian residency must agree to serve a year in the armed forces, consulate says in an unusual notice.

26 Feb 2026 - 8:03PMvideocam

Accidents and disasters in China

Tributes paid to 6 firefighters killed in China after truck veers off cliff

22 Feb 2026 - 5:30PM

China society

Opinion | Without pension reform, China is leaving its rural elderly out in the cold

15 Jan 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Accidents and disasters in China

How Beijing’s clean air success left China’s rural farmers in the cold

In neighbouring Hebei province, rural residents say they cannot afford to heat their homes enough after switch from coal.

13 Jan 2026 - 10:58AMvideocam

Beijing has recorded its best air quality performance since data started being collected more than a decade ago. Photo: AFP

China-Japan relations

Why China is turning down the nationalist heat in its row with Japan

With economic stakes high, Beijing seen as ‘more cautious in handling external frictions’, avoiding fanning of ‘uncontrollable’ nationalism.

4 Jan 2026 - 6:06AMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

Fall of Ming dynasty has ignited controversy online – and China has weighed in

Oversimplified discourse on Ming, Qing dynasties risks slide into ‘narrow, Han-centric nationalism’, Zhejiang authorities warn.

23 Dec 2025 - 3:59PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Debate and backlash in China after Japanese singer halted mid-show in Shanghai

Chinese commentators and social media users call for discussion around cancelling large concerts at the ‘last minute’.

1 Dec 2025 - 7:20PMvideocam

Japanese singer Maki Otsuki’s performance is abruptly halted at an anime event in Shanghai. Her team says she has since “returned home safely”. Photo: Handout

SCMP Highlights

Trump calls Takaichi after Xi, China’s cruise dominance: SCMP daily highlights

From US president calling Japan’s PM after Xi talk to China’s new cruise deal, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

25 Nov 2025 - 9:15PM

China-Japan relations

Former editor Hu Xijin urges restraint in official media’s criticism of Japan

Ex-Global Times chief warns against ‘exaggerated’ commentary on Sanae Takaichi, though he has called the Japanese leader an ‘evil witch’.

25 Nov 2025 - 11:31AMvideocam

Censorship

Ex-state media editor warns against ‘collective silence’ on Chinese social media

Ex-Global Times chief Hu Xijin says there should be greater scope for ‘citizens to exchange information’ on social media.

14 Oct 2025 - 7:04PMvideocam

Hu Xijin is a regular poster on Chinese and Western social media platoforms. Photo: Weibo

China-Japan relations

Sanae Takaichi is set to be Japan’s next leader. What will it mean for China?

Conservative views on sensitive matters, including Japan’s wartime history and Taiwan, may rock already strained ties with Beijing, analysts warn.

11 Oct 2025 - 5:07PMvideocam

New Liberal Democratic Party leader Sanae Takaichi is poised to be Japan’s fifth prime minister in five years and first female leader. Photo: Reuters

Trending in China

China ‘Little Pinks’ slam university for red dots on white chairs like Japan flag

Prestigious institution accused of being ‘traitorous’ by fervent patriots, issues ‘deep’ apology, promises to apply more rigour in future.

16 Sep 2025 - 2:00PM

Ukraine war

Opinion | Has Ukraine war sparked a moment of reckoning for China’s foreign policy?

Latest reactions from Beijing suggest China’s stance on Ukraine is less about the war itself and more about the broader global power struggle.

26 Aug 2025 - 9:43PMvideocam

Accidents and disasters in China

Chinese lead poisoning scandal raises fresh questions over local governance

The authorities in Gansu have said that 10 officials are under investigation for their alleged role in covering up the case.

22 Jul 2025 - 12:23PMvideocam

View of Peixin Kindergarten in Maiji district, Tianshui city, Northwest China’s Gansu province. Photo: Handout

Trending in China

China editor slams school for ousting woman for casual sex, wants man treated same

Veteran journalist calls for Ukrainian man involved in viral sex controversy to be ‘banned from China’, face ‘financial penalties’.

17 Jul 2025 - 6:00PM

A top Chinese editor has slammed a mainland university for expelling a female student for having casual sex with a Ukrainian gamer, and demanded an equal penalty for the man. Photo: IG@zeuscsgo

Hu Xijin

(胡锡进)

China ‘reminds’ its male citizens in Russia about Moscow’s military service law

Men applying for long-term Russian residency must agree to serve a year in the armed forces, consulate says in an unusual notice.

Tributes paid to 6 firefighters killed in China after truck veers off cliff

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Without pension reform, China is leaving its rural elderly out in the cold

How Beijing’s clean air success left China’s rural farmers in the cold

In neighbouring Hebei province, rural residents say they cannot afford to heat their homes enough after switch from coal.

Why China is turning down the nationalist heat in its row with Japan

With economic stakes high, Beijing seen as ‘more cautious in handling external frictions’, avoiding fanning of ‘uncontrollable’ nationalism.

Fall of Ming dynasty has ignited controversy online – and China has weighed in

Oversimplified discourse on Ming, Qing dynasties risks slide into ‘narrow, Han-centric nationalism’, Zhejiang authorities warn.

Debate and backlash in China after Japanese singer halted mid-show in Shanghai

Chinese commentators and social media users call for discussion around cancelling large concerts at the ‘last minute’.

Trump calls Takaichi after Xi, China’s cruise dominance: SCMP daily highlights

From US president calling Japan’s PM after Xi talk to China’s new cruise deal, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Former editor Hu Xijin urges restraint in official media’s criticism of Japan

Ex-Global Times chief warns against ‘exaggerated’ commentary on Sanae Takaichi, though he has called the Japanese leader an ‘evil witch’.

Ex-state media editor warns against ‘collective silence’ on Chinese social media

Ex-Global Times chief Hu Xijin says there should be greater scope for ‘citizens to exchange information’ on social media.

Sanae Takaichi is set to be Japan’s next leader. What will it mean for China?

Conservative views on sensitive matters, including Japan’s wartime history and Taiwan, may rock already strained ties with Beijing, analysts warn.

China ‘Little Pinks’ slam university for red dots on white chairs like Japan flag

Prestigious institution accused of being ‘traitorous’ by fervent patriots, issues ‘deep’ apology, promises to apply more rigour in future.

Opinion | Has Ukraine war sparked a moment of reckoning for China’s foreign policy?

Latest reactions from Beijing suggest China’s stance on Ukraine is less about the war itself and more about the broader global power struggle.

Chinese lead poisoning scandal raises fresh questions over local governance

The authorities in Gansu have said that 10 officials are under investigation for their alleged role in covering up the case.

China editor slams school for ousting woman for casual sex, wants man treated same

Veteran journalist calls for Ukrainian man involved in viral sex controversy to be ‘banned from China’, face ‘financial penalties’.

Opinion | Without pension reform, China is leaving its rural elderly out in the cold