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.

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves after introducing the members of the Chinese Communist Party's new Politburo Standing Committee, the nation's top decision-making body, in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on 23 October 2022. (Noel Celis/AFP)

Xi removes Youth League faction from new leadership

Top CCP officials from the Youth League faction such as Li Keqiang, Wang Yang, Hu Chunhua and Lu Hao will step down by the National People’s Congress in March 2023. This marks a huge setback for the Communist Youth League (CYL), which was once deemed a “cradle” for senior cadres. While the CYL’s vast membership is still an important source of CCP members, the future of its cadres is now on shaky grounds. Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan tells us more.
Chinese President Xi Jinping waves as he arrives for 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)

Xi might be CCP top leader for life: ‘People’s leader’ might be written into CCP constitution

Analysts are speculating that the current “people’s leader” moniker being applied to President Xi Jinping may be enshrined in the CCP constitution, giving the Chinese leader even greater powers. Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan explores the issue.
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the opening session of the 20th Party Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on 16 October 2022. (Noel Celis/AFP)

What’s new in Xi Jinping's 20th Party Congress report

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s 20th Party Congress opened with CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping giving a summary of the party report, during which he highlighted the key achievements over the past five years, as well as the way forward. Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan takes us through the key points and what to expect over the next few days.
In this file photo taken on 24 October 2017, a general view shows delegates, including China's President Xi Jinping (centre), attending the closing of the 19th Communist Party Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP)

How top decisions are made in the CCP's 'meeting-based' governance model

With the 20th Party Congress approaching, Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan takes us through the processes and meetings of Beijing's top leadership and an understanding of how decisions are made in a “meeting-based” governance model of the CCP.
Chinese President Xi Jinping stands near former Chinese presidents Hu Jintao, Jiang Zemin and Premier Li Keqiang on Tiananmen Gate during the military parade marking the 70th founding anniversary of People's Republic of China, on its National Day in Beijing, China, 1 October 2019. (Jason Lee/Reuters)

How Xi Jinping consolidated power over the past decade

As the 20th Party Congress approaches, Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan looks at the power game in China. He examines evolving rhetorics and terms used by Chinese leaders since Mao, and reflects on the way President Xi Jinping has consolidated and enshrined power in the past decade.
A farmer picks ears of rice left over by a paddy harvester as the region experiences a drought outside Jiujiang city, Jiangxi province, China, 27 August 2022. (Thomas Peter/Reuters)

Chinese netizens debate: Should China abandon the market economy for a ‘people-oriented’ economy?

Chinese agricultural economist Wen Tiejun has landed in hot water after proposing the concept of a “people-oriented” economy. Critics believe that this is moving away from China’s reform and opening up, while others see the benefits towards common prosperity. Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan tells us more about the maelstrom of controversy ahead of the 20th Party Congress.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi addresses the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York City, US, 24 September 2022. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

China's FM Wang Yi paves way for Xi with diplomatic blitz

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has been busy meeting with key political figures while attending the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York. Will this help to smooth relations between China and the world, especially the US? Or will it be seen as just another PR effort before the upcoming 20th Party Congress? Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan tells us more.
China's President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and other participants attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders' summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 16 September 2022. (Sergei Bobylyov/Sputnik/AFP)

China gains stronger foothold in Central Asian region

Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan analyses the outcomes of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit held in Uzbekistan and the implications of China’s perceived stronger courting of the Central Asia region.
Pedestrians walk past a screen showing footage of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers during an evening news programme, in Beijing, China, 2 August 2022. (Tingshu Wang/Reuters)

Post-60s generation takes the helm of China’s military

As the 20th Party Congress approaches, key reshuffles of theatre command leaders have taken place, with the post-60s generation becoming the backbone of the PLA’s senior military generals. Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan takes us through the key military leaders, and who will be part of the Central Committee of the CCP.