Party Congress

A sudden exit: Why Shenzhen replaced its mayor 100 days before APEC

With the high-stakes APEC summit just months away, Shenzhen’s sudden leadership change underscores intense political vetting. The last-minute reshuffle hints at a career setback for a rising star and sets an urgent task for his successor. Lianhe Zaobao’s China news editor Yang Danxu gives her take on the issue.

Yang Danxu

02 Sep 2026

Zhu Rongji’s death triggers China’s ‘superpolitics’

The close proximity in timing of the death of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, the commemoration of former President Jiang Zemin’s 100th birth anniversary and the upcoming fifth plenum may give Zhongnanhai some cause for worry, says commentator Deng Yuwen.

Deng Yuwen

13 Aug 2026

Why Xi gathered China’s top scientists in Beidaihe

China’s annual Beidaihe retreat has put basic research and frontier technologies centre stage, offering a rare glimpse into President Xi Jinping’s priorities as Beijing seeks breakthroughs in critical technologies. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Chen Jing finds out.

Chen Jing

06 Aug 2026

Is Cai Qi China’s real number two?

Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi appears to be Chinese President Xi Jinping’s right-hand man, but depending on whether trust or caution is higher in Xi’s calculations, Cai’s fate will be decided at the 21st Party Congress, says Taiwanese academic Wen-Hsuan Tsai.

Wen-Hsuan Tsai

04 Aug 2026

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