Politics

As the 20th Party Congress continues, so does speculation on various key appointments, not least who will join the Politburo Standing Committee, and who will be China’s next premier and vice-premier. Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu notes that news agencies are carrying various versions of this possible list — but which is more accurate and what does it tell of the CCP's future plans?

China’s strict zero-Covid policy has led to lockdowns and other extreme measures in various cities, as local officials follow directions from the top. However, the people are pushing back, as their daily life is impacted in all sorts of ways. Chinese commentator Ma Haotian believes that the decision makers are caught between a rock and a hard place as either maintaining or easing the strict zero-Covid measures comes with painful consequences.

China has great motivation to achieve its China Dream of catching up with and surpassing the US. Not only would this wipe away its century of humiliation but also prove the superiority of socialism. However, its actions could make achieving its dream that much harder.

Tsai Ing-wen has continually clarified her fundamental position on the Taiwan Strait issue during her national day speeches since she became Taiwan’s president, much to China’s chagrin. However, this year, some have viewed her speech as “great domestic propaganda” directed against the opposition party instead. Veteran journalist Gu Erde takes us through the highlights of Tsai’s speech and what it means for Taiwan.

US academic Zhu Zhiqun notes that the international community has been watchful of China’s moves since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. China’s ambiguous stance, tense relations with the US and failure to actively mediate following the outbreak of the war have caused its international standing to decline. China will need to take a clear position on fundamental issues, as well as do its utmost to bring about peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.

University of New South Wales academic Alexander Korolev takes stock of the China-Russia relationship from the angles of consistency, growing military-technical cooperation, and structural shifts in great power politics.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s 20th Party Congress opened with CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping giving a summary of the party report, during which he highlighted the key achievements over the past five years, as well as the way forward. Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan takes us through the key points and what to expect over the next few days.

While Chinese President Xi Jinping looks set to hold on to his position, the picture is less clear as to Premier Li Keqiang’s successor when he steps down next March. Researcher Rongjie Lin goes through the list of possible contenders.

Starting from an email claiming to have a name list of the incoming Politburo Standing Committee for sale, Zaobao’s associate editor Han Yong Hong takes a look at the approaching 20th Party Congress of the CCP and explains the veil of secrecy around it, and what could be the outcome.