Yu Zeyuan

Beijing Correspondent and Senior Researcher, Lianhe Zaobao

Yu Zeyuan (real name Yu Haisheng) started in 1993 as a journalist and editor with Xinhua's foreign news desk, then joined the University of Hawaii as a visiting academic from 1996 to 1997. Since 2000, he has been Lianhe Zaobao's Beijing correspondent and senior researcher.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, 4 February 2022. (Sputnik/Aleksey Druzhinin/Kremlin via Reuters)

What to expect from Xi-Putin meeting in Russia

Much attention is on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia, with speculation on whether China will drop its neutral stance on the Ukraine war, or stick to strengthening the fundamentals of their bilateral relationship. Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan gives his analysis.
(From left to right) Newly-elected Chinese state councilor Qin Gang, state councilor and secretary-general of the State Council Wu Zhenglong, state councilor Li Shangfu, China's Vice Premiers Zhang Guoqing, Ding Xuexiang, He Lifeng, Liu Guozhong, Chinese state councilors Wang Xiaohong and Shen Yiqin swear an oath after they were elected during the fifth plenary session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 12 March 2023. (Noel Celis/AFP)

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?
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers the government work report on 5 March 2023 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. (CNS)

Li Keqiang’s departure means political leaders of Xi’s generation have all but retired

Li Keqiang delivered his last government work report on 5 March in his capacity as Chinese premier, a role he had held for a decade. With his departure from the scene comes the retreat of fellow CYL faction cadres, and the retirement of the political leaders of Xi’s generation. Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan has the details.
A local resident walks past a building destroyed by shelling, in Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, Ukraine, on 13 February 2023. (Sergey Bobok/AFP)

Is China’s peace plan without merit?

Despite China’s proposal for peace talks amid the Russia-Ukraine war, the US continues to be wary of China's intentions. Nonetheless, Russia, Ukraine and Europe have expressed support for China’s proposal to varying degrees, which signals positive progress. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan notes that eventually, peace talks will take place.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (right) shakes hands with China's Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, southern Germany, on 17 February 2023. (Thomas Kienzle/AFP)

China’s strategy to resist the US but bring Europe close

Over the past few days, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi has been on a tour of Europe, where he met some European leaders and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan takes a look at Wang’s goodwill diplomacy towards European countries and harsh criticism of the US. What do they indicate of future China-US and China-Europe relations?
Pedestrians reflected in a store window in the Wangfujing shopping area in Beijing, China, on 10 February 2023. (Bloomberg)

External challenges could hinder China’s economic recovery

After three years of Covid-19 disruption, China’s economy and society are starting to get back on track. However, it is facing stiff external pressure, as shown by the further China-US fallout from the recent “balloon incident". Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan looks at the challenges China’s economic recovery faces from the outside world.
This picture shows police in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 6 December 2022. (Noel Celis/AFP)

China’s corruption crackdown targets officials even after they step down

China’s anti-corruption agency announced on 5 February that three CCP cadres were under investigation for disciplinary issues — specifically, corruption. While the CCP’s anti-corruption efforts have apparently shown results, those under investigation usually come under scrutiny after they leave their posts. Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan looks at how effective such crackdowns are.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a joint press conference at the State Department in Washington, US, 11 January 2023. (Joshua Roberts/File Photo/Reuters)

US Secretary of State Blinken’s visit to China is paved with thorns

Amid ongoing tensions, a high-level visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to China in the coming week shows hope for improved relations between the two economic powerhouses. Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan notes that while the meeting may not produce practical results, it is a much needed exchange to manage and control China-US relations from worsening.
Letin founder Li Guoxin recently lambasted Changle county party secretary Wang Xiao online. (Weibo/雷丁电动汽车官方微博)

Why Chinese car maker Letin blew the whistle on the local government

Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan explains the delicate relationship between private enterprises and local governments, in which both depend on each other for mutual benefit. But once the tenuous relationship runs awry, there is little recourse to right the situation.