Two Sessions

AI salaries soar, but China can’t find enough experts

China’s AI sector is booming, with top salaries reaching millions of RMB, yet companies still struggle to fill roles. Lianhe Zaobao’s Liu Liu examines how firms are wooing talent and whether universities can keep pace.

Liu Liu

[Big read] US-China push-pull over Taiwan strengthens Beijing’s hand

US-China tensions over Taiwan are deepening, but Washington’s reluctance to make firm commitments may be giving Beijing room to tighten its grip, even as trust in the US declines and regional risks grow. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han speaks to experts about the Taiwan Strait issue.

Miao Zong-Han

Mandarin first: China’s new push for ethnic unity

The recent National People’s Congress passed the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law, which requires Mandarin to be prominently featured whenever minority languages are also used. Would this open the door to other similar regulations in future, where minorities have to assimilate to show loyalty? Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yush Chau finds out more.

Yush Chau

China enters the 4% growth era: Stability over speed

Amid rising global uncertainty and frequent international trade frictions, the Chinese government’s lower national growth target reflects its emphasis on stability. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong observes that this eases the pressure on local governments but leaves international investors cautious.

Han Yong Hong

Xi’s purge rolls on: Two Sessions test loyalty and ‘correct’ ambition

A slew of investigations and dismissals of high-level party officials, slower growth targets across provinces, and an emphasis on cultivating a “correct view of political achievements” are just some of the issues leading up to the highly anticipated Two Sessions this week. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong takes a look at what we can expect from the meeting.

Han Yong Hong

Why Beijing believes it can outlast Trump’s trade war

Taking China’s economic pulse soon after the Two Sessions, analyst Chen Long observes that there is a sense on the ground that the worst may have passed, even despite the new tariffs imposed by the US.

Chen Long

Optimism prevails at this year’s Two Sessions

At this year’s Two Sessions, the mood was noticeably more relaxed and optimistic compared to recent years. What has changed since previous years and what can we expect from China in upcoming years? Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan tells us more.

Yu Zeyuan

China’s local provinces and cities set ambitious 2025 growth targets

China’s major cities and provinces are setting growth targets for 2025 around 5%, auguring a similar figure for the national target this year. But are these targets achievable amid adverse domestic conditions and global uncertainty? Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong discusses the issue.

Han Yong Hong

China's political black box has become even more opaque

Commentator Chen Kuohsiang says that China's politics have become even more opaque and rigid since the announcement that the premier's press conference will no longer be held at the end of the National People's Congress. With no room left to express personal will or position, the Chinese premier has been reduced to the general secretary's political implementer.

Chen Kuohsiang

What to watch for at China's Two Sessions this year

China's annual Two Sessions or Lianghui kicks off on 4 March. With issues from GDP growth to unemployment to leadership changes, Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan takes us through the likely highlights of this year's edition.

Yu Zeyuan

Lee Hsien Loong: The world cannot afford a conflict between China and the US

In an interview on CCTV-13's "Leaders Talk"《高端访谈》programme first broadcast on 24 March, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke about trust and mutual understanding in longstanding Singapore-China bilateral relations, and expressed the hope that both countries would take this forward in areas such as the Belt and Road Initiative, China-ASEAN relations, China's rise and US-China relations. The following are edited excerpts of the full transcript of the interview issued by Singapore's Prime Minister's Office.

ThinkChina

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