The recent death of Russian democracy activist Alexei Navalny shocked and saddened observers around the world. In China, despite government propaganda that portrayed Navalny as a criminal who espoused extremism, many on the country’s highly censored internet were deeply touched by his vision, conviction, and courage. “Each nation has such heroes. They are willing to … Read more
In the quest for modern governance solutions, China continues to explore innovative methods to ensure local accountability without adopting Western-style democratic elections. This trend has been particularly notable during Xi Jinping’s tenure, marking a significant deviation from the methodologies preferred by his predecessors. Under Xi, the once-promoted enthusiasm for local elections has significantly waned. A … Read more
Chinese state media Xinhua reported that President Xi Jinping visited the northern city of Tianjin on February 1 and 2, ahead of the traditional Lunar New Year. The visit continued a regular practice by Chinese leaders of engaging with grassroots communities as one year concludes and people from all walks of life slow down for … Read more
It has become a truism that Xi Jinping is the most powerful leader in China since Mao Zedong. In 2016, a Times Magazine cover showed an image of Mao behind a peel-away picture of Xi, implying Xi is the second coming of Mao. In analyzing Xi’s centralization of power and personality cult, many articles from the New … Read more
Advertisement Hundreds, possibly thousands, of people gathered Thursday near a state funeral home in Beijing as China’s former second-ranking leader, Li Keqiang, was put to rest, while a steady stream of mourners showed their respects at the ex-premier’s childhood home in central China. Li, who was China’s top economic official for a decade, died last … Read more
Advertisement The sudden death of China’s former second-ranking leader, Li Keqiang, has shocked many people in the country, with tributes offered up to the ex-official who promised market-oriented reforms but was politically sidelined. Li, who died early Friday of a heart attack, was China’s top economic official for a decade, helping navigate the world’s second-largest … Read more
Advertisement Former Premier Li Keqiang, China’s top economic official for a decade, died Friday of a heart attack. He was 68. Li was China’s No. 2 leader from 2013-23 and an advocate for private business but was left with little authority after President Xi Jinping made himself the most powerful Chinese leader in decades and … Read more
Advertisement China has sacked Defense Minister General Li Shangfu, who has been out of public view for almost two months, state media reported Tuesday. No further information was given, including news about Li’s replacement. Li is the second senior Chinese official to disappear this year, following former Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who was removed from … Read more
Advertisement The Diplomat author Mercy Kuo regularly engages subject matter experts, policy practitioners, and strategic thinkers across the globe for their diverse insights into U.S. Asia policy. This conversation with Dr. Chin-Hao Huang – author of “Power and Restraint in China’s Rise” and associate professor of political science at Yale-NUS College and NUS Lee Kuan … Read more
Advertisement When China’s National People’s Congress convened in March, President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of stability and security. But half a year later, the removal of Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Defense Minister Li Shangfu, as well as a purge of senior military officials, have made Xi’s new government appear neither stable nor secure. … Read more