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Wang Qishan

Wang Qishan was born in Qingdao, Shandong in 1948, and graduated from the History Department of Northwest University in 1976. Wang was a deputy governor of China's central bank between 1993 and 1994, then president of China Construction Bank from 1994 to 1997. He was appointed acting mayor of Beijing when SARS struck the city in spring 2003, and served as mayor until 2007. Known for his straight-talking style and financial management expertise, Wang was promoted to vice premier in 2008. He became a member of the Politburo Standing Committee during the 18th Party Congress in November 2012, as well as secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Born

Jul 1, 1948

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Former Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection

Jiang Chaoliang is among the most prominent figures caught in the Communist Party’s decade-long anti-corruption campaign, which snared a record 65 high-ranking officials last year. Photo: CCTV

China’s Communist Party

China’s anti-corruption body reveals how ex-banker fell in bribery scandal

Documentary details the downfall of Jiang Chaoliang and his brothers as disciplinary commission holds key session.

14 Jan 2026 - 7:08PMvideocam

China's military weapons

China parades statecraft and hardware as world faces ‘critical’ choices

3 Sep 2025 - 10:01PMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

Change of guard at China’s track 1.5 diplomacy channel founded by Zhu Rongji

31 Oct 2024 - 9:00PMvideocam

Brazil

Brazil’s Lula puts ‘biggest trading partner’ China among first visits

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will make his first official trip to Argentina at the end of January, before visiting the United States, Portugal and China.

4 Jan 2023 - 4:20PM

Brazil’s new president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meeting with Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan in Brasilia on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

Banking & finance

China arrests disgraced former CMB president

Tian Huiyu has been arrested on suspicion of “taking bribes and abusing power”, according to Chinese state-owned broadcaster CCTV, citing the country’s top prosecutor.

26 Oct 2022 - 7:00PMvideocam

China-UK relations

Chance for stability in aftermath of China hawk Liz Truss, analyst says

The former British PM was ready to forge ahead with her China threat plan before her resignation.

21 Oct 2022 - 11:41PMvideocam

China’s 20th Party Congress

Chinese vice-president heads to Kazakhstan, and may miss party congress

Wang will lead a delegation to Astana to attend CICA summit on two-day trip, foreign ministry says. Covid-19 rules could mean he will be absent from key political gathering in Beijing.

11 Oct 2022 - 8:30PMvideocam

Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan will travel to Kazakhstan on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

China-UK relations

Chinese vice-president attends Queen Elizabeth’s funeral

Wang Qishan, as special envoy of Xi Jinping, pays tribute to the late queen alongside US President Joe Biden and other foreign leaders and dignitaries.

19 Sep 2022 - 10:19PMvideocam

China-UK relations

Chinese vice-president to attend Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral: sources

Wang Qishan is expected to arrive in London on Sunday, a day before the funeral.

15 Sep 2022 - 9:54PM

China-Philippines relations

China’s vice-president to attend Marcos inauguration in Philippines

Wang Qishan will be Xi Jinping’s special representative at event on Thursday.

28 Jun 2022 - 7:51PMvideocam

Philippine president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jnr has expressed a willingness to strengthen contacts with China at all levels. Photo: AP

South Korea

China urges cooperation as South Korea’s new leader takes office

Beijing sends Vice-President Wang Qishan to attend inauguration of Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul on Tuesday.

11 May 2022 - 10:00AM

Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan (left) shakes hands with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol at his office in Seoul on Tuesday after the inauguration ceremony. Photo: EPA-EFE

Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

Former Chinese anti-graft inspector gets suspended death sentence for corruption

Dong took about US$73 million in bribes over two decades, court says.

29 Jan 2022 - 12:20PM

US-China relations

Exclusive | What Wang Qishan told old friend from US about Communist Party’s legitimacy

Wall Street executive John Thornton has no government role but bridges the US-China divide like Henry Kissinger in 1971, source says.

28 Sep 2021 - 1:37AMvideocam

Corruption in China

Former top corruption inspector charged with taking US$71 million in bribes

Dong Hong, a former aide of Vice-President Wang Qishan, took bribes totalling 460 million yuan over two decades of his political career, prosecutors say.

10 Sep 2021 - 6:53AMvideocam

Dong Hong confessed to his crimes, the court said. Photo: Handout

US-China relations

US, China have more common interests than differences, Wang Qishan says

‘Upholding the spirit of non-conflict and non-confrontation … key to promoting the healthy and stable development of Sino-US relations,’ Chinese vice-president says.

29 Jan 2021 - 11:22PMvideocam

Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan says Beijing and Washington should focus on cooperation and managing differences. Photo: Xinhua

US-China trade war

Former Treasury secretary calls for ‘targeted reciprocity’ in US-China trade

Henry Paulson, a former US Treasury secretary, says Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods should not be lifted without the US getting something in return.

17 Nov 2020 - 11:20PMvideocam

US-China relations

Beijing’s rivalry with US is main external threat to its development, NDRC says

But time is on China’s side, the National Development and Reform Commission says in report.

29 Oct 2020 - 9:30AMvideocam

China economy

China will focus on self-reliance and cutting risk, says vice-president

Xi Jinping’s right-hand man signals move away from a export-oriented strategy ahead of key Communist Party policy meeting.

24 Oct 2020 - 10:00PM

Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan addressed the summit via video-link. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Communist Party

China investigates former Wang Qishan aide for alleged corruption

Dong Hong, who worked with the vice-president from 1998 until 2017, is being investigated over ‘suspected serious violation of laws and party rules’.

2 Oct 2020 - 9:38PMvideocam

US-China trade war

Is globalisation doomed? Business elites mull future as trade war rages

Protectionism is on the rise and questions are increasing about whether globalisation still works, as New Economy Forum kicks off in Beijing

24 Nov 2019 - 10:39PMvideocam

US-China relations

Wang Qishan laments protectionism, populism amid US-China trade deal doubts

Countries should stop ‘blaming and resenting others’, and abandon cold war mentality, he says in speech at New Economy Forum, after Donald Trump says Beijing is ‘not stepping up to the level I want’ in making concessions.

21 Nov 2019 - 5:06PMvideocam

Chinese staffers adjust flags in Beijing in February. On Thursday, China’s Vice-President delivered his speech at the New Economy Forum. Photo: Reuters

Japan

Japanese ‘spy’ detained in China allowed to return home

The man, identified by China’s foreign ministry as Nobu Iwatani, reportedly confessed to collecting a large amount of ‘classified information’.

15 Nov 2019 - 6:53PM

Japan's flag flutters outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

China-Japan relations

China to send Wang Qishan to Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement

Vice-president will attend ceremony as Xi Jinping’s special envoy and will also represent Beijing at Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s inauguration.

15 Oct 2019 - 7:30AM

US-China trade war

Globalisation is best way through trade war, China’s Wang Qishan says

Protectionism should be opposed and Beijing is ‘determined to open up to learn the advantages of other nations’, he says, with US and China set to resume trade talks.

8 Jul 2019 - 11:26PMvideocam

US-China relations

Is ‘firefighter’ Wang Qishan working behind the scenes on trade talks?

Chinese vice-president tells visiting Mexican foreign affairs secretary that his main task now is helping Xi Jinping with ‘ceremonial diplomacy’.

2 Jul 2019 - 11:10PM

Wang Qishan, 71, has not taken a public role in the trade war between China and the US. Photo: AP

China-EU relations

China, Germany ‘agree to uphold global multilateral order’ in Berlin talks

They also ‘oppose behaviour that will damage the current order with abusive sanctions’, according to foreign ministry.

4 Jun 2019 - 1:05AM

German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomes Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan in Berlin on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Pakistan

China seeks security guarantees for Pakistan belt and road projects

Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan raises concerns with Prime Minister Imran Khan.

28 May 2019 - 10:48PM

US-China trade war

China looks to Russia, Central Asia for support amid tensions with US

Xi Jinping will meet Vladimir Putin next month and address an economic summit in St Petersburg before he attends security forums in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

10 Dec 2019 - 11:19PMvideocam

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Wang Qishan

China’s anti-corruption body reveals how ex-banker fell in bribery scandal

Documentary details the downfall of Jiang Chaoliang and his brothers as disciplinary commission holds key session.

China parades statecraft and hardware as world faces ‘critical’ choices

Change of guard at China’s track 1.5 diplomacy channel founded by Zhu Rongji

Brazil’s Lula puts ‘biggest trading partner’ China among first visits

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will make his first official trip to Argentina at the end of January, before visiting the United States, Portugal and China.

China arrests disgraced former CMB president

Tian Huiyu has been arrested on suspicion of “taking bribes and abusing power”, according to Chinese state-owned broadcaster CCTV, citing the country’s top prosecutor.

Chance for stability in aftermath of China hawk Liz Truss, analyst says

The former British PM was ready to forge ahead with her China threat plan before her resignation.

Chinese vice-president heads to Kazakhstan, and may miss party congress

Wang will lead a delegation to Astana to attend CICA summit on two-day trip, foreign ministry says. Covid-19 rules could mean he will be absent from key political gathering in Beijing.

Chinese vice-president attends Queen Elizabeth’s funeral

Wang Qishan, as special envoy of Xi Jinping, pays tribute to the late queen alongside US President Joe Biden and other foreign leaders and dignitaries.

Chinese vice-president to attend Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral: sources

Wang Qishan is expected to arrive in London on Sunday, a day before the funeral.

China’s vice-president to attend Marcos inauguration in Philippines

Wang Qishan will be Xi Jinping’s special representative at event on Thursday.

China urges cooperation as South Korea’s new leader takes office

Beijing sends Vice-President Wang Qishan to attend inauguration of Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul on Tuesday.

Former Chinese anti-graft inspector gets suspended death sentence for corruption

Dong took about US$73 million in bribes over two decades, court says.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | What Wang Qishan told old friend from US about Communist Party’s legitimacy

Wall Street executive John Thornton has no government role but bridges the US-China divide like Henry Kissinger in 1971, source says.

Former top corruption inspector charged with taking US$71 million in bribes

Dong Hong, a former aide of Vice-President Wang Qishan, took bribes totalling 460 million yuan over two decades of his political career, prosecutors say.

US, China have more common interests than differences, Wang Qishan says

‘Upholding the spirit of non-conflict and non-confrontation … key to promoting the healthy and stable development of Sino-US relations,’ Chinese vice-president says.

Former Treasury secretary calls for ‘targeted reciprocity’ in US-China trade

Henry Paulson, a former US Treasury secretary, says Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods should not be lifted without the US getting something in return.

Beijing’s rivalry with US is main external threat to its development, NDRC says

But time is on China’s side, the National Development and Reform Commission says in report.

China will focus on self-reliance and cutting risk, says vice-president

Xi Jinping’s right-hand man signals move away from a export-oriented strategy ahead of key Communist Party policy meeting.

China investigates former Wang Qishan aide for alleged corruption

Dong Hong, who worked with the vice-president from 1998 until 2017, is being investigated over ‘suspected serious violation of laws and party rules’.

Is globalisation doomed? Business elites mull future as trade war rages

Protectionism is on the rise and questions are increasing about whether globalisation still works, as New Economy Forum kicks off in Beijing

Wang Qishan laments protectionism, populism amid US-China trade deal doubts

Countries should stop ‘blaming and resenting others’, and abandon cold war mentality, he says in speech at New Economy Forum, after Donald Trump says Beijing is ‘not stepping up to the level I want’ in making concessions.

Japanese ‘spy’ detained in China allowed to return home

The man, identified by China’s foreign ministry as Nobu Iwatani, reportedly confessed to collecting a large amount of ‘classified information’.

China to send Wang Qishan to Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement

Vice-president will attend ceremony as Xi Jinping’s special envoy and will also represent Beijing at Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s inauguration.

Globalisation is best way through trade war, China’s Wang Qishan says

Protectionism should be opposed and Beijing is ‘determined to open up to learn the advantages of other nations’, he says, with US and China set to resume trade talks.

Is ‘firefighter’ Wang Qishan working behind the scenes on trade talks?

Chinese vice-president tells visiting Mexican foreign affairs secretary that his main task now is helping Xi Jinping with ‘ceremonial diplomacy’.

China, Germany ‘agree to uphold global multilateral order’ in Berlin talks

They also ‘oppose behaviour that will damage the current order with abusive sanctions’, according to foreign ministry.

China seeks security guarantees for Pakistan belt and road projects

Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan raises concerns with Prime Minister Imran Khan.

China looks to Russia, Central Asia for support amid tensions with US

Xi Jinping will meet Vladimir Putin next month and address an economic summit in St Petersburg before he attends security forums in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Exclusive | What Wang Qishan told old friend from US about Communist Party’s legitimacy