Party Congress

China’s 21st Party Congress set for major leadership overhaul

Analysing with data the likely extent of leadership renewal at the 21st Party Congress in 2027, academic Li Cheng and research assistant Du Lang of the Centre on Contemporary China and the World in Hong Kong find that except for General Secretary Xi Jinping, a massive shakeup is expected, and the longstanding practice of age limits will still play a big factor.

Li Cheng, Du Lang

13 Mar 2026

Policy, not palace intrigue: The real focus of China’s fourth plenum

Despite the crackdown on corruption over the past year, the fourth plenum will not be a personnel session but a policy session centred on the 15th Five-Year Plan. Commentator Deng Yuwen notes that unless there is a sudden political upheaval in the coming days, economic and social strategy will take centre stage, while personnel issues remain secondary.

Deng Yuwen

14 Oct 2025

Could markets work under China’s socialist system?

Economist Chen Kang lays out three key issues China must consider in order to build a successful socialist market economy.

Chen Kang

01 Aug 2024

Chinese authorities ramp up meetings with foreign industry giants

Lianhe Zaobao journalist Liu Sha takes a closer look at the Chinese authorities' frequent meetings with leaders from multinational companies, in particular those from the manufacturing and biopharmaceutical sectors, following the 20th Party Congress. What do these meetings signal, and will they work in terms of stabilising foreign investor confidence?

Liu Sha

20 Mar 2024

China's new State Council and the president's men

Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan looks at the new Chinese government installed over the weekend, noting the gradual weakening of power of the State Council, just as many of President Xi's close aides are appointed to the executive body. What might this mean for China's leadership in the future?

Yu Zeyuan

13 Mar 2023

Possible reforms to security agencies expose CCP's anxiety over external and internal risks

The 20th Party Congress set the direction for the Chinese Communist Party, but it is the upcoming Two Sessions that measures will be discussed and put into action. The highlight is the likely reforms to national security agencies, as well as finance and other sectors.

Han Yong Hong

03 Mar 2023

What is China's 'new era'? [Part 1]

EAI senior research fellow Lance Gore explains why the sudden reversal of globalisation, constant turbulence due to global developments and the fragmentation of international relations are some very real coordinates of China's "new era". In response, apt and concrete policies along the socialism axis can be devised to meet the challenges.

Lance Gore

03 Feb 2023

Xi Jinping set on realising China dream after 20th Party Congress

Economics professor and keen China watcher Tan Kong Yam analyses the outcomes of the 20th Party Congress, answering key questions on Beijing's attitudes towards national rejuvenation, Taiwan, the private sector, leadership renewal and political stars to watch in Chinese President Xi Jinping's third term.

Tan Kong Yam

21 Dec 2022

Connecting past, present and future: Xi Jinping's logic of governance and legitimacy in his third term

Japanese academic Naoko Eto scrutinises changes to the Chinese Communist Party's constitution and Chinese President Xi Jinping's report to the 20th Party Congress for signs of Xi's likely governing tenets in his third term.

Naoko Eto

12 Dec 2022

The Real Xi: Reflections on the 20th Party Congress

Vienna-based Li Ling observes that while it seems that Chinese President Xi Jinping has removed all obstacles to his rule, actually the outcomes of the 20th Party Congress has shown another side of him: a level-headed and even disciplined man who can act in a measured and controlled fashion. Being able to show restraint while holding on to great power will be a delicate balance that one has to strike in Xi's "new era".

Li Ling

01 Dec 2022

Jiang Zemin who deepened China's reform and opening up dies at age 96

Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan presents the life and achievements of Jiang Zemin, following his passing at the age of 96. While he was seen as not having enough heft on his own when he first began as CCP general secretary, he had chalked up various achievements by the end of his tenure and graceful exit.

Yu Zeyuan

30 Nov 2022

China's economic outlook is not bleak

China's 20th Party Congress signalled that the government is focused on dual circulation, in particular domestic circulation. However, that does not mean that China has the intention for implementing a closed-door policy. In fact, a healthy domestic circulation will boost China's ecosystem for innovation and growth and help China further open up.

Ding Ke

28 Nov 2022