China-ccp-standing-committee-HP
China-ccp-standing-committee-HP

Who’s Who on the New CCP Standing Committee

The most important leaders in China know how to follow orders.

People watch the opening session of the 20th Chinese National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in Huaibei, China, on Oct. 16.
People watch the opening session of the 20th Chinese National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in Huaibei, China, on Oct. 16.

What Did Xi Say at China’s 20th Party Congress?

The Chinese leader received rapturous applause during his opening speech, but he didn’t offer a clear plan for confronting ongoing crises.

Party members walk by an image showing Chinese President Xi Jinping at an exhibition highlighting his years as leader as part of the upcoming 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party on Oct. 12 in Beijing.
Party members walk by an image showing Chinese President Xi Jinping at an exhibition highlighting his years as leader as part of the upcoming 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party on Oct. 12 in Beijing.

What to Expect at China’s 20th Party Congress

The first thing to understand about the event is that the internal power struggles have already happened.

China-brief-book-roundup
China-brief-book-roundup

8 Books to Read Ahead of China’s 20th Party Congress

These picks each offer piercing insight into how Chinese politics really works.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation leaders' summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sept. 16.
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation leaders' summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sept. 16.

What a False Coup Rumor Reveals About Chinese Politics

A baseless story briefly went viral, showing how much of the world misunderstands Beijing’s inner workings.

People line up to be tested for COVID-19 next to a propaganda poster showing Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Aug. 31.
People line up to be tested for COVID-19 next to a propaganda poster showing Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Aug. 31.

Bus Crash Amplifies Zero-COVID Frustration

Discontent with the restrictive policy seems to serve as a proxy for discontent with Xi Jinping’s government itself.

Chinese President Xi Jinping leaves the podium following his speech in Hong Kong on July 1.
Chinese President Xi Jinping leaves the podium following his speech in Hong Kong on July 1.

Homebody Xi Finally Steps Outside China

The Chinese leader’s first overseas trip since January 2020 takes him to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, where he’ll meet his Russian counterpart.

People walk in front of a residential area under lockdown due to COVID-19 restrictions in Beijing on June 23.
People walk in front of a residential area under lockdown due to COVID-19 restrictions in Beijing on June 23.

China’s COVID-19 Stagnation Has No End in Sight

The endless cycle of lockdowns will likely lead to long-lasting political and economic consequences.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi takes part in a press conference on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Aug. 5.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi takes part in a press conference on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Aug. 5.

Beijing’s Diplomacy Suffers in Europe

Estonia and Latvia are the latest countries to back out of a forum with China, undermining its efforts on the continent.

A Taiwanese military outpost is seen beyond anti-landing spikes along the coast in Kinmen, Taiwan, on Aug. 10.
A Taiwanese military outpost is seen beyond anti-landing spikes along the coast in Kinmen, Taiwan, on Aug. 10.

Why Doesn’t China Invade Taiwan?

Despite Beijing’s rhetoric, a full-scale invasion remains a risky endeavor—and officials think the island can be coerced into reunification.

Pelosi waves standing in a group of people, all wearing masks.
Pelosi waves standing in a group of people, all wearing masks.

China Responds to Pelosi’s Taiwan Trip

Many on social media expressed anger that the government hadn’t followed through on its fiery rhetoric.

U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi holds her weekly press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on July 21.
U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi holds her weekly press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on July 21.

Pelosi’s Taiwan Trip Causes a Ruckus in Washington

The House speaker’s visit is a grand gesture, but it shouldn’t be seen as a show of strength.

Construction workers walk by signs advertising a development project as they leave work in Beijing on July 15.
Construction workers walk by signs advertising a development project as they leave work in Beijing on July 15.

Chinese Mortgage Boycott Gains Steam

Homebuyers’ threats to stop payments on unfinished projects could deepen an ongoing real estate crisis.

Chinese demonstrators hold banners during a protest over the freezing of deposits by rural-based banks outside a People’s Bank of China building in Zhengzhou, China, on July 10.
Chinese demonstrators hold banners during a protest over the freezing of deposits by rural-based banks outside a People’s Bank of China building in Zhengzhou, China, on July 10.

The Chinese Protesters Who Got What They Wanted—Sort of

Does a compensation scheme for failing banks mean the start of more accountability for China’s financial sector?

A view of the Four Seasons hotel in Hong Kong on Feb. 1, 2017. Billionaire Xiao Jianhua was abducted from the property days earlier.
A view of the Four Seasons hotel in Hong Kong on Feb. 1, 2017. Billionaire Xiao Jianhua was abducted from the property days earlier.

How Xiao Jianhua Angered President Xi

What the kidnapping and trial of a former billionaire tell us about China’s ultrawealthy.

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