Yu Zeyuan

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.

Residents at a Covid-19 testing booth in Beijing, China, on 14 November 2022. A surge in Covid cases threatens to turn into an early test of China’s resolve to ease some of its strict virus controls, after health officials on the weekend said the changes were a refinement, not a relaxation, of the rules. (Bloomberg)

China eases pandemic rules but people are worried

On 11 November, China eased pandemic rules with the announcement of 20 new measures. While this signals that the Chinese government is ready to open up to alleviate pressures on its market and economy, many Chinese citizens are worried that the pandemic will wreak havoc in the country.
People attend a media tour ahead of Airshow China 2022 in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, China, 6 November 2022. (CNS)

China’s latest military drones on display at Zhuhai Airshow

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force is showcasing its air combat capabilities during the 14th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, with static displays and aerial demonstrations for its advanced military drones, fighter jets and other military weapons and equipment. From boasting of a fully China-made fighter jet, to its home-designed drones, the developments in China’s air combat power shows the impact of the geopolitical situation on the military industry.
Workers work at a construction site, following the Covid-19 outbreak, in Shanghai, China, 14 October 2022. (Aly Song/Reuters)

CCP new leadership team's big task: Build market confidence amid zero-Covid

Now that the new Politburo Standing Committee has been appointed after the 20th Party Congress, it faces the biggest challenge of ensuring economic growth amid the repeated pandemic outbreaks. How long can the Chinese Communist Party maintain its zero-Covid policy before public frustration boils over?
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.