Yang Danxu

Beijing Correspondent, Lianhe Zaobao

Before Yang Danxu became Lianhe Zaobao's Beijing correspondent, she was the newspaper's Shanghai correspondent. When she was based in Shanghai, she covered politics, diplomacy, political economy and social trends in the country, focusing especially on the Yangtze River Delta region.

Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded the Friendship Medal to Communist Party of Vietnam General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in a grand award ceremony in the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, on 31 October 2022. (Xinhua)

China’s diplomacy in full swing after 20th Party Congress

Diplomatic activities appear to be back at full swing after the 20th Party Congress. Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu notes that the visits by heads of states to China are driven by Beijing’s objectives of bringing its neighbours close, stabilising relations with Europe, and strengthening relations with developing countries. Will this help improve China’s relations and international image, especially amid the tense geopolitical background?
Shanghai Party Secretary Li Qiang attends the closing ceremony of the 20th Party Congress of the Communist Party of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 22 October 2022. (Tingshu Wang/File Photo/Reuters)

China's next premier Li Qiang: More implementation, less decision-making

Li Qiang, the number two in China’s new Politburo Standing Committee, is poised to be China’s next premier. While his star fell after his management of Covid-stricken Shanghai was called into question, his credentials as Xi’s lieutenant may mean closer alignment between the State Council and the Central Committee in the Li Qiang era. Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu has the details.
People watch a live broadcast of China's President Xi Jinping speaking during the introduction of the Communist Party of China's Politburo Standing Committee, on a screen at a shopping mall in Qingzhou in China's eastern Shandong province on 23 October 2022. (AFP)

Chinese state media: Party and state leaders step down of their own accord

The 20th Party Congress has just ended, and the new Politburo and its Standing Committee members have been announced. State media Xinhua ran an article on how the new central leadership was formed, revealing telling details of the appointment discussion and consultation. Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu unpacks the signals.
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 16 October 2022. (Thomas Peter/Reuters)

The most secretive party congress? Speculation around top leadership intensifies

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?
A banner featuring a portrait of Chinese President Xi Jinping at a People's Liberation Army (PLA) Flag Guard barrack near the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, on 11 October 2022. (Bloomberg)

China’s zero-Covid policy unlikely to ease after party congress

China’s strict pandemic measures have undoubtedly caused significant inconvenience to the ordinary people. However, while there is talk that the measures might be relaxed after the 20th Party Congress, the signals from state media seem to suggest that the “dynamic zero” approach to Covid-19 is here to stay, at least for some time yet. Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu tells us more.
This aerial photo taken on 19 September 2022 shows an image welcoming the 20th Communist Party Congress, created by growing different varieties of rice in Hangzhou, in China's eastern Zhejiang province. (AFP)

Will the CCP's 20th Party Congress be the dullest in decades?

Set to begin in about a week, the 20th Party Congress is generating much interest both within and outside of China. Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu examines the talking points — or lack thereof — of the session, what we can expect, and what direction it might take.
This aerial photo taken on 26 September 2022 shows an image welcoming the 20th Communist Party Congress, created by growing red sorghum, in a field in Hangzhou, in China's eastern Zhejiang province. (AFP)

Will the CCP remove the unofficial age limit for its top leadership?

There is an unwritten rule in the Chinese Communist Party leadership for Politburo members to stay on at 67 years old and retire at 68. But the average age of the representatives at the upcoming 20th Party Congress is higher than the previous session five years ago, with more members aged 55 and above. Is this a signal that age does not matter and other criteria would take priority? Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu tells us more.
Chinese soldiers walk near the entrance of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, on 20 September 2022. (Noel Celis/AFP)

CCP raises the bar for officials' performance ahead of 20th Party Congress

With just weeks left before the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s 20th Party Congress, officials are now faced with stricter performance requirements to curb laziness, incompetence and other characteristics that have been deemed “unfitting” for a leading cadre. Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu tells us more about how the new regulations would impact officials and the CCP leadership.
A police officer guards the Registan square in downtown Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 13 September 2022. (Alexander Nemenov/AFP)

Xi Jinping embarks on Central Asia visit amid a changed world

After more than two years since the start of the pandemic, Chinese President Xi Jinping will resume making diplomatic visits overseas with his Central Asia tour this month. The geopolitical situation has vastly transformed during his physical absence in the international arena. Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu explores the implications of these changes.