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He Lifeng

The latest news on Chinese economist and politician He Lifeng, Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China, including political stories and updates.

Born

Feb 1955

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Vice Premier of China

Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are expected to meet in Beijing in early April as officials work to stabilise economic ties and manage strategic tensions. Photo: Getty Images

US-China relations

Exclusive | China confirms talks with US about Trump visit as trade truce stays on the cards

US president and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping may roll back tariffs for up to a year as officials seek short-term economic wins.

12 Feb 2026 - 5:30PMvideocam

US-China relations

US seeks fair China competition, looks to realign Latin America ties

11 Feb 2026 - 6:16AMvideocam

US-China relations

As Bessent tips next US-China trade talks, analysts see Trump-Xi meeting prep

10 Feb 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

China economy

Opinion | US-China rivalry: great powers that don’t make things won’t be great for long

As globalisation falters, it is countries that focus on building productive capacity, not financial excess, that will come out on top.

2 Feb 2026 - 5:30AM

Children play next to The Bund Bull sculpture in Shanghai on April 9, 2025. Photo: AFP

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

As Trump shakes world order, Western countries recalibrate approach to China

At Davos, world leaders take veiled swipes at the US, while China frames itself as defender of the post-war system, analysts say.

23 Jan 2026 - 11:00PM

United States

Editorial | Trump’s antics at Davos further erode trust in US leadership

No exaggeration to say Trump is openly using US power to upend both the world economy and the global order.

23 Jan 2026 - 7:15AM

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

‘No choice’: China seen eyeing consumption as a route out of export reliance

Beijing’s policies seen putting income growth above GDP, with investments in social welfare, future tech and advanced manufacturing to spur internal demand.

22 Jan 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

Zhu Min, a former deputy governor of the People’s Bank of China, spoke during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Photo: SCMPOST

United States

Trump lays out Greenland-Arctic deal framework, pauses February tariffs

In his speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, the US president vowed not to invade Greenland while slamming Nato and Europe.

22 Jan 2026 - 5:18AMvideocam

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

Macron urges Europe to hit back against Trump’s threats

French president advocates use of the EU’s anti-coercion mechanism against US tariffs, as he warns of moving ‘towards a world without rules’.

27 Jan 2026 - 5:27AMvideocam

US-China relations

Bessent cites trade progress after meeting China’s He Lifeng in Davos

US Treasury chief says rare earths are flowing and China is buying soybeans as talks move towards an April Trump-Xi meeting.

21 Jan 2026 - 4:13AMvideocam

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

China’s He Lifeng warns of ‘law of the jungle’, blasts protectionism, at Davos

Amid escalating transatlantic rifts fuelled by Donald Trump, vice-premier urges global cooperation, free trade and dialogue, pledging to boost imports and open China’s market.

20 Jan 2026 - 9:36PMvideocam

Vice-Premier He Lifeng delivers a speech during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

China GDP

China’s two-speed economy faces tough 2026 as growth cools

Lost momentum, weak domestic demand and high yardsticks point to a challenging year ahead for the Chinese economy.

20 Jan 2026 - 12:43PM

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

China’s Davos sales pitch: stability, reliability and not being Trump

Vice-Premier He Lifeng is expected to pitch China as a reliable partner on Tuesday, contrasting Beijing’s stability with Trump’s unilateralism before US president’s address.

19 Jan 2026 - 12:57PMvideocam

Hong Kong

Editorial | Hong Kong can and must remain competitive with Hainan

The island’s customs reform may affect certain sectors in Hong Kong. The city should innovate, adapt and reinforce unique advantages.

23 Dec 2025 - 7:15AM

A view of Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Hainan province on December 18. Photo: Xinhua

China trade

China’s Hainan launches separate customs regime allowing tariff-free imports

Most goods can enter Hainan with zero import duties under the new system, as China looks to turn the island into a strategic buffer zone.

18 Dec 2025 - 6:01PMvideocam

Shoppers browse an international duty-free mall in Sanya, a city in China’s southern Hainan province. Hainan has implemented a slew of special policies to attract global talent and tourists in recent years. Photo: Xinhua

US-China trade war

Surviving the shocks: what China and the US learned from 2025’s trade war

Businesses and officials faced a year of disruption – and in some cases, resilience – as tariffs and export controls roiled global markets.

17 Dec 2025 - 8:07AMvideocam

China's economic recovery

Beijing digs in for trade ‘struggles’, eyes strategy of growth and resilience

Analysts see leadership’s language after central economic work conference as an admission that trade tensions are expected to endure.

12 Dec 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

US-China trade war

China’s vice-premier has ‘constructive’ call with US officials Bessent and Greer

Both sides agree to promote the development of bilateral trade ties to ‘expand the list for cooperation and shorten the list of problems’.

6 Dec 2025 - 6:05AMvideocam

China’s Vice-Premier He Lifeng had a productive video call with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Friday. Photo: AFP

China manufacturing

Chinese vice-premier urges manufacturing upgrades, trade diversification

He Lifeng highlights importance of technological innovation and a unified domestic market to support sustainable economic growth amid external uncertainties.

21 Nov 2025 - 7:00PMvideocam

China-Germany relations

Germany courts China as rare earths stoke economic woes

Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil sought assurances on rare earth supplies from China in a bid to ease one of the challenges weighing down Germany’s sluggish economy.

18 Nov 2025 - 5:21PM

China-EU relations

‘We need stability’: China and Germany strive to reset trade ties in Beijing

German finance minister’s trip follows a tense period for China-Europe relations, with Berlin gripped by supply chain anxieties.

18 Nov 2025 - 5:00PMvideocam

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng pose for a photo in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

China economy

Opinion | China needs high-quality financial development to support its five-year goals

Inclusive and green finance that is risk-resilient and supportive of innovation and technology must be the foundation of the new Chinese development model.

8 Nov 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

People enjoy themself on the Bund near the financial district of Pudong, in Shanghai, China, on September 27, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Banking & finance

Editorial | AIIB office and fintech strategy a boost to Hong Kong’s ambitions

Beijing is offering robust support for Hong Kong’s effort to remain a top international financial centre and embrace fintech.

7 Nov 2025 - 6:45AM

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Beijing’s full backing for Hong Kong on display at finance summit

Hong Kong has a role to play in global financial governance.

5 Nov 2025 - 7:15AM

Fintech

‘Superconnector’ Hong Kong gets boost from Beijing

China is ramping up support for Hong Kong’s finance sector as it develop the city’s role as a link between the mainland and global markets.

4 Nov 2025 - 5:01PM

US-China relations

China, US must take action after Xi-Trump summit, avoid ‘new disruptions’: envoy

Ambassador Xie Feng says most pressing task is to follow up trade progress made in Malaysia with results to ensure stable ties.

4 Nov 2025 - 4:01PMvideocam

China’s top envoy to the US, Xie Feng, said on Monday that it would be unacceptable to “cause any new disruptions, make zero-sum calculations” or try to profit at the others’ expense, as he urged both sides to maintain momentum achieved in recent high-level trade talks. Photo: Handout

Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit 2025

China touts Hong Kong’s role in global finance, stability at summit

Beijing’s commitment aims to solidify Hong Kong’s status as key link between mainland markets and international financial system amid shifting economic landscapes.

4 Nov 2025 - 1:57PMvideocam

US-China relations

‘Amazing’ praise: Xi and Trump thaw summit ice with loads of warmth

Amid a bruising trade war, the two leaders rekindle friendly tone ahead of their first face-to-face encounter in six years.

30 Oct 2025 - 11:02PMvideocam

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He Lifeng

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | China confirms talks with US about Trump visit as trade truce stays on the cards

US president and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping may roll back tariffs for up to a year as officials seek short-term economic wins.

US seeks fair China competition, looks to realign Latin America ties

As Bessent tips next US-China trade talks, analysts see Trump-Xi meeting prep

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | US-China rivalry: great powers that don’t make things won’t be great for long

As globalisation falters, it is countries that focus on building productive capacity, not financial excess, that will come out on top.

As Trump shakes world order, Western countries recalibrate approach to China

At Davos, world leaders take veiled swipes at the US, while China frames itself as defender of the post-war system, analysts say.

Editorial | Trump’s antics at Davos further erode trust in US leadership

No exaggeration to say Trump is openly using US power to upend both the world economy and the global order.

‘No choice’: China seen eyeing consumption as a route out of export reliance

Beijing’s policies seen putting income growth above GDP, with investments in social welfare, future tech and advanced manufacturing to spur internal demand.

Trump lays out Greenland-Arctic deal framework, pauses February tariffs

In his speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, the US president vowed not to invade Greenland while slamming Nato and Europe.

Macron urges Europe to hit back against Trump’s threats

French president advocates use of the EU’s anti-coercion mechanism against US tariffs, as he warns of moving ‘towards a world without rules’.

Bessent cites trade progress after meeting China’s He Lifeng in Davos

US Treasury chief says rare earths are flowing and China is buying soybeans as talks move towards an April Trump-Xi meeting.

China’s He Lifeng warns of ‘law of the jungle’, blasts protectionism, at Davos

Amid escalating transatlantic rifts fuelled by Donald Trump, vice-premier urges global cooperation, free trade and dialogue, pledging to boost imports and open China’s market.

China’s two-speed economy faces tough 2026 as growth cools

Lost momentum, weak domestic demand and high yardsticks point to a challenging year ahead for the Chinese economy.

China’s Davos sales pitch: stability, reliability and not being Trump

Vice-Premier He Lifeng is expected to pitch China as a reliable partner on Tuesday, contrasting Beijing’s stability with Trump’s unilateralism before US president’s address.

Editorial | Hong Kong can and must remain competitive with Hainan

The island’s customs reform may affect certain sectors in Hong Kong. The city should innovate, adapt and reinforce unique advantages.

China’s Hainan launches separate customs regime allowing tariff-free imports

Most goods can enter Hainan with zero import duties under the new system, as China looks to turn the island into a strategic buffer zone.

Surviving the shocks: what China and the US learned from 2025’s trade war

Businesses and officials faced a year of disruption – and in some cases, resilience – as tariffs and export controls roiled global markets.

Beijing digs in for trade ‘struggles’, eyes strategy of growth and resilience

Analysts see leadership’s language after central economic work conference as an admission that trade tensions are expected to endure.

China’s vice-premier has ‘constructive’ call with US officials Bessent and Greer

Both sides agree to promote the development of bilateral trade ties to ‘expand the list for cooperation and shorten the list of problems’.

Chinese vice-premier urges manufacturing upgrades, trade diversification

He Lifeng highlights importance of technological innovation and a unified domestic market to support sustainable economic growth amid external uncertainties.

Germany courts China as rare earths stoke economic woes

Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil sought assurances on rare earth supplies from China in a bid to ease one of the challenges weighing down Germany’s sluggish economy.

‘We need stability’: China and Germany strive to reset trade ties in Beijing

German finance minister’s trip follows a tense period for China-Europe relations, with Berlin gripped by supply chain anxieties.

Opinion | China needs high-quality financial development to support its five-year goals

Inclusive and green finance that is risk-resilient and supportive of innovation and technology must be the foundation of the new Chinese development model.

Editorial | AIIB office and fintech strategy a boost to Hong Kong’s ambitions

Beijing is offering robust support for Hong Kong’s effort to remain a top international financial centre and embrace fintech.

Editorial | Beijing’s full backing for Hong Kong on display at finance summit

Hong Kong has a role to play in global financial governance.

‘Superconnector’ Hong Kong gets boost from Beijing

China is ramping up support for Hong Kong’s finance sector as it develop the city’s role as a link between the mainland and global markets.

China, US must take action after Xi-Trump summit, avoid ‘new disruptions’: envoy

Ambassador Xie Feng says most pressing task is to follow up trade progress made in Malaysia with results to ensure stable ties.

China touts Hong Kong’s role in global finance, stability at summit

Beijing’s commitment aims to solidify Hong Kong’s status as key link between mainland markets and international financial system amid shifting economic landscapes.

‘Amazing’ praise: Xi and Trump thaw summit ice with loads of warmth

Amid a bruising trade war, the two leaders rekindle friendly tone ahead of their first face-to-face encounter in six years.

Exclusive | China confirms talks with US about Trump visit as trade truce stays on the cards

Opinion | US-China rivalry: great powers that don’t make things won’t be great for long