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China leadership

China leadership
The Chinese Communist Party's 18th Congress, held in Beijing November 8-14, 2012, marked a key power transition in China. A new generation of leaders, headed by Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang, took over from the previous leadership headed by Hu Jintao. The Communist Party's Politburo Standing Committee was reduced in number from nine to seven. Unlike his predecessor Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao handed over both the Party General Secretary and Chairman of the Central Military Commission positions to Xi.
Cai Qi, 70, will head China’s Central Party School. He sits on the Politburo Standing Committee and is secretary of the party’s secretariat and director of the party’s general office. Photo: Reuters
China’s Communist Party

Why the new party academy role held by Xi Jinping’s chief of staff is important

China’s president describes party schools as crucial for helping uphold ideological direction in the face of ‘hostile forces’.

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Yuan

China’s yuan gains ground in global trade with room to grow, Goldman Sachs says

US-China trade war

From mine to market: how China is closing critical mineral security gaps

China energy security

As the Hormuz crisis exposes ‘fragile’ supply chains, how will China respond?

Beijing has so far managed to contain fallout from the Iran war – but policymakers are still moving to reinforce resilience.

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A person points at a page on the Marine Traffic website that shows commercial boats traffic on the edge of the Strait of Hormuz near the Iranian coast, in Paris on March 4. Photo: TNS
Boao Forum for Asia

As Iran war rages, China links peace to economic growth at Boao Forum

Beijing will continue promoting free trade, openness and a sound legal system for business, top legislator says.

Two Sessions 2026

What 2 new laws at ‘two sessions’ mean for China’s financial superpower push

Two new laws may prove wide-ranging, spanning yuan’s global status to green finance and turning ambition into codified rules, analyst says.

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Two Sessions 2026

Beijing vows to expand imports amid ‘China shock’ fears

Beijing promises to source advanced tech, consumer goods and agricultural products from overseas while diversifying markets.

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Commerce Minister Wang Wentao speaks at the 14th National People’s Congress in Beijing on March 6. Photo: AFP
Two Sessions 2026

China pivots to ‘investing in people’ strategy as growth engine switches gears

Premier announces changes in spending priorities, aiming to boost consumption, but doubts remain whether resources will match ambitions.

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Two Sessions 2026

Why China is moving away from tax cuts and pushing for reform

Tax revenue is way below peer countries – and Beijing is pushing for change.

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Two Sessions 2026

China pledges ‘iron discipline’ to tackle debt as US borrowing surges

Global debt reached a record high in 2025 and rose in the world’s two largest economies.

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Premier Li Qiang delivering the government work report on Thursday, in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Reuters
Two Sessions 2026

How China is using its economic clout to give the US dollar a run for its money

Beijing is using economic clout to reshape its global financial influence – a strategy analysts say could play out over decades.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Two Sessions 2026

China’s pivot from GDP obsession sparks cadre confusion, tests local governance

Governors and mayors must reconcile Beijing’s people-centric mandates with traditional growth targets, navigating vague appraisal changes and performance concepts.

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Two Sessions 2026

‘Two sessions’, Trump tariffs, JD.com earnings

This week: Lawmakers ready for China’s ‘two sessions’, Trump imposes new global tariffs, Germany’s Merz meets Xi. Next week: JD.com reports earnings, toughened trade measures kick in, manufacturing PMI comes outs, Honor debuts robot, and more.

China’s Communist Party

Beware of ‘political swindlers’, China’s cadres warned ahead of leadership change

Communist Party’s anti-corruption agencies say there is still a danger of graft in the promotion process.

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Communist Party cadres have been warned against associating with “political swindlers”. Photo: Robert Ng
China food security

China signals strong soybean imports – what does it mean for food security?

Beijing also vows broader agricultural opening while safeguarding domestic production and farmers.

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China has committed to buying at least 25 million tonnes of US soybeans annually through 2028, according to Washington. Photo: Reuters
China jobs

China’s youth jobless rate edges down – but labour market strains persist

Beijing vows to prioritise job market in 2026, the first year of new five-year plan.

China's economic recovery

China’s Xi pushes ‘holistic’ execution by local cadres for 5-year plan

Xi pushes need for full grasp of 2026-2030 goals, setting boundaries amid domestic malaise and external challenges to get the ball rolling.

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US-China trade war

China says US trade war, tech curbs have spurred ‘independent innovation’

In the first year of new five-year plan, party mouthpiece says list of ‘chokepoint technologies’ is narrowing.

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A Chinese flag is displayed next to a “Made in China” sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips. Photo: Reuters
China economy

Opinion | Why China is still struggling to ‘invest in people’

To boost demand, Beijing must upend its long-held mantra of production over livelihoods and investment over consumption.

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China food security

Xi renews call to boost grain output after trade war sharpens food security push

Beijing renews push to fortify domestic crop supplies and modernise agriculture amid a tense geopolitical climate.

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China economy

Opinion | China’s Politburo swaps emergency economic surgery for preventive care

Last year’s meeting focused on survival, but now the emphasis is on unlocking factors to let the domestic economy thrive.

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People walk through a shopping area in Beijing, on February 18. By breaking down local barriers, China aims to unlock the latent potential of its domestic market. Photo: EPA-EFE
China economy

China’s central economic work conference: cheat sheet

SCMP Plus annotates the official readout from China’s annual economic policy gathering, where top leaders focused on efforts to boost domestic consumption amid concerns about external trade in 2026.

China’s central economic work conference: cheat sheet
China economy

China’s 2026 economic road map, Macron tariff threat, November data dump

This week: Chinese leaders prioritise domestic demand amid trade uncertainties at key year-end meeting, Mexico readies Asian tariffs, Macron threatens China levies and Trump greenlights exports of Nvidia H200 chips. Next week: November retail sales, Hainan expands duty-free shopping, China Vanke debt fight, “solar goddess” wedding and more.

China economy

China’s economy can probably ride out storms in 2026

Policymakers meeting in Beijing this week will probably see few reasons for new stimulus measures after China’s economy largely weathered the US trade war.

China's economic recovery

China’s Politburo pledges action to tackle trade ‘struggles’ in 2026

Analysts said the decision-making body’s phrasing on the international trade environment suggests a cautious stance next year despite US truce.

President Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Politburo of China’s Communist Party, held in advance of the annual central economic work conference. Photo: Xinhua
China GDP

China’s economic focus in 2026: what to expect as leaders prep for major meeting

Growth of ‘around 5 per cent’ may be revised to between 4.5 and 5 per cent, analysts say, as leadership gears up for tone-setting conference.

Chinese leaders will hold the central economic work conference in December, a closed-door meeting to discuss the top policy goals for 2026.
Banking & finance

China’s finance chief calls for fiscal firepower as Beijing weighs 2026 goals

This month’s central economic work conference will set the tone, while top finance official signals more assertive fiscal support.

China’s fourth plenum

Opinion | 15th five-year plan charts a course for China’s modernisation

By building on past successes and shoring up areas of weakness, China can lay firm foundations to achieve socialist modernisation.

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