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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

Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with US President Donald Trump at the Zhongnanhai compound during their summit in Beijing in May. They are set to meet again in Washington in September. Photo: AP Photo

US-China trade war

Exclusive | US-China ‘Board of Investment’ stalls before expected Trump-Xi meeting

President of US-China Business Council says neither side has ‘initiated consultation process’ or is ready yet for private sector discussions.

13 Aug 2026 - 9:29AMvideocam

US-China trade war

China’s retaliation against US shows depth of its trade war strategy: analysts

6 Aug 2026 - 7:18AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Disputes over AI, robotics, trade mount ahead of planned Xi-Trump summit in US

5 Aug 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China voices ‘serious concern’ over new US curbs in senior trade talks

Beijing raises objections during high-level call as both sides work towards economic outcomes ahead of an expected Xi-Trump summit.

31 Jul 2026 - 6:16AMvideocam

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (left) and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng. Photo: Reuters

China's economic recovery

China’s Xi joins leadership blitz of hub visits in pre-GDP fact-finding push

The president, premier and vice-premiers blanket agricultural and tech centres to gauge local strains and industrial progress before key July policy summit.

24 Jun 2026 - 9:35PM

US-China trade war

China touts new finance tools to fend off sanctions

Anti-sanctions measures and efforts to globalise the yuan were among key topics as Chinese finance regulators and policymakers addressed the 2026 Lujiazui Forum.

18 Jun 2026 - 6:34PM

US-China trade war

China vows new legal shield that could counter US sanctions and protect finance

‘We don’t stir up trouble,’ He Lifeng says as first vice-premier to attend annual Lujiazui Forum since 2019, ‘but we’re absolutely not afraid of it’.

17 Jun 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Vice-Premier He Lifeng speaks at the Lujiazui Forum in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

EU trade chief swipes at China overcapacity, but vows ‘meaningful’ discussions

Maros Sefcovic made the remarks after meeting China’s chief trade negotiator, but says both sides are focused on mutual success.

5 Jun 2026 - 12:06AM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | Trump ‘personally called for China’s help’ to end Ukraine war in summit with Xi

Washington is also not happy about Beijing’s rare earth controls, according to people familiar with the talks.

2 Jun 2026 - 2:41PMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

AMD meeting with China’s vice-premier raises optimism on US AI chips

‘Relatively advanced’ chips to start entering China in second half, as US is ‘pulling back’ on tariff war and tech decoupling, analysts say.

19 May 2026 - 7:30PM

AMD CEO Lisa Su reinforced AMD’s commitment to China during a keynote speech at AMD’s AI developer day in Shanghai on Tuesday, describing it as “the world’s most dynamic AI ecosystem”. Photo: Shutterstock Images

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China, US agree to establish trade, investment councils after Xi-Trump summit

The world’s two biggest economies also agree to roll back tariffs, deepen investment and establish a new board to manage disputes.

16 May 2026 - 11:05PM

President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for US President Donald Trump, who is on a state visit to China, outside the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing on May 14. Photo: Xinhua

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Boeing nears ‘large’ China orders as Trump and Xi forge new trade board: Bessent

Washington and Beijing will discuss the board to manage commercial ties, and there is a plan to ‘pregame’ investments to avoid national security blocks.

14 May 2026 - 8:34PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

The longest day – how the Xi-Trump summit reset China-US ties in 12 hours

The two leaders follow a morning of talks with a tour of the Temple of Heaven and a state banquet.

14 May 2026 - 8:41PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Leaving so soon? US, China hold briefest trade talks yet before leaders’ summit

The two delegations met in Seoul’s Incheon Airport, spoke for a few hours and skipped the press conferences typically held after earlier sessions.

13 May 2026 - 5:14PMvideocam

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng shakes hands with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent prior to trade talks in South Korea on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China and US teams race to find easy summit deliverables at meeting in Seoul

The two sides will seek to ‘iron out any last-minute issues’ in single day of talks, economist says.

13 May 2026 - 1:09PM

Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last met in person in Paris on March 16. Photo: Handout

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China-US trade talks kick off in Seoul ahead of high-profile leaders’ summit

Trade deals, export controls on critical minerals and the Iran war likely to be talking points as senior officials sit down for negotiations.

13 May 2026 - 11:55AM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump taps Musk, Cook and other leaders for high-stakes China trade mission

Business delegation spanning tech, aviation and finance joins Beijing trip as trade, investment and supply chains top agenda.

13 May 2026 - 3:31AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

US-China negotiations seek a quick Seoul search for deals ahead of Trump’s visit

Setting stage for presidential summit with Xi in Beijing, Bessent and He to meet in South Korea, and the ‘3 Bs’ could be on the cards.

11 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Vice-Premier He Lifeng (right) gestures alongside US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before a meeting to discuss trade relations and tariffs on May 10, 2025, just over one year ago. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China readies for Trump visit amid rebound in trade growth

Surging Chinese exports will bolster the nation’s position with the US as the two countries ready for trade talks and a presidential summit this week.

11 May 2026 - 5:03PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China, US confirm Seoul trade talks days before Trump-Xi summit in Beijing

Meeting follows Paris round in March and a video call in April as both sides prepare for Trump’s state visit.

11 May 2026 - 4:17AM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Are US Air Force C-17s flying cars into Beijing for Trump’s China trip?

American military cargo planes have been spotted at the Chinese capital’s main airport, suggesting that the high-stakes visit is still on.

3 May 2026 - 6:00PM

Two US Air Force C-17 transport aircraft have been seen at Beijing Capital International Airport in the past few days. Photo: Handout

2026 Xi-Trump summits

US and Chinese officials air concerns in build-up to Trump’s Beijing visit

Despite the latest diplomatic initiatives, Beijing warns the US is threatening ‘hard-won stability’ with new smartphone restrictions.

1 May 2026 - 10:10PMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Exclusive | Trump ally to visit China as US turns up pressure before May summit

Republican senator to lead bipartisan delegation to China next week; visit will begin on May 1, with stops planned in Shanghai and Beijing.

24 Apr 2026 - 6:59PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | Trump-Xi summit shaped by uncertainty, not strategy: experts

War distractions and limited goals risk turning Beijing talks into optics over substance, as expectations shrink and planning falters.

15 Apr 2026 - 9:06AMvideocam

US-China trade war

As Xi-Trump summit approaches, tariffs continue to choke direct trade

Deficit with mainland hits two-decade low as trade shifts to Taiwan, Mexico and Vietnam amid tariff fallout and efforts to stabilise ties.

3 Apr 2026 - 5:42AMvideocam

Shipping containers wait to be transported along a railroad at the port of Los Angeles in Long Beach, California, one of the busiest gateways for US trade. Photo: Reuters

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump-Xi summit: US trade chief casts doubt on pre-meeting Beijing visit

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says key Trump officials unlikely to meet Chinese counterparts, in a break from usual practice for talks.

1 Apr 2026 - 6:23AMvideocam

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer addresses the media after trade talks with the Chinese delegation in Paris in March. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

Trump pitches China trade ‘win’ to US farmers ahead of Xi meeting, midterms

Claims come despite farmers remaining unsure if China will meet its 25 million-tonne commitment for 2026, as planting season approaches.

28 Mar 2026 - 6:21AMvideocam

Banking & finance

HSBC vows to keep investing in China as new trade growth corridors emerge

HSBC’s CEO said financial institutions needed to ‘keep up’ with the rapid expansion of Chinese companies on their journey to ‘go global’.

22 Mar 2026 - 7:50PMvideocam

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He Lifeng

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | US-China ‘Board of Investment’ stalls before expected Trump-Xi meeting

President of US-China Business Council says neither side has ‘initiated consultation process’ or is ready yet for private sector discussions.

China’s retaliation against US shows depth of its trade war strategy: analysts

Disputes over AI, robotics, trade mount ahead of planned Xi-Trump summit in US

China voices ‘serious concern’ over new US curbs in senior trade talks

Beijing raises objections during high-level call as both sides work towards economic outcomes ahead of an expected Xi-Trump summit.

China’s Xi joins leadership blitz of hub visits in pre-GDP fact-finding push

The president, premier and vice-premiers blanket agricultural and tech centres to gauge local strains and industrial progress before key July policy summit.

China touts new finance tools to fend off sanctions

Anti-sanctions measures and efforts to globalise the yuan were among key topics as Chinese finance regulators and policymakers addressed the 2026 Lujiazui Forum.

China vows new legal shield that could counter US sanctions and protect finance

‘We don’t stir up trouble,’ He Lifeng says as first vice-premier to attend annual Lujiazui Forum since 2019, ‘but we’re absolutely not afraid of it’.

EU trade chief swipes at China overcapacity, but vows ‘meaningful’ discussions

Maros Sefcovic made the remarks after meeting China’s chief trade negotiator, but says both sides are focused on mutual success.

Exclusive | Trump ‘personally called for China’s help’ to end Ukraine war in summit with Xi

Washington is also not happy about Beijing’s rare earth controls, according to people familiar with the talks.

AMD meeting with China’s vice-premier raises optimism on US AI chips

‘Relatively advanced’ chips to start entering China in second half, as US is ‘pulling back’ on tariff war and tech decoupling, analysts say.

China, US agree to establish trade, investment councils after Xi-Trump summit

The world’s two biggest economies also agree to roll back tariffs, deepen investment and establish a new board to manage disputes.

Boeing nears ‘large’ China orders as Trump and Xi forge new trade board: Bessent

Washington and Beijing will discuss the board to manage commercial ties, and there is a plan to ‘pregame’ investments to avoid national security blocks.

The longest day – how the Xi-Trump summit reset China-US ties in 12 hours

The two leaders follow a morning of talks with a tour of the Temple of Heaven and a state banquet.

Leaving so soon? US, China hold briefest trade talks yet before leaders’ summit

The two delegations met in Seoul’s Incheon Airport, spoke for a few hours and skipped the press conferences typically held after earlier sessions.

China and US teams race to find easy summit deliverables at meeting in Seoul

The two sides will seek to ‘iron out any last-minute issues’ in single day of talks, economist says.

China-US trade talks kick off in Seoul ahead of high-profile leaders’ summit

Trade deals, export controls on critical minerals and the Iran war likely to be talking points as senior officials sit down for negotiations.

Trump taps Musk, Cook and other leaders for high-stakes China trade mission

Business delegation spanning tech, aviation and finance joins Beijing trip as trade, investment and supply chains top agenda.

US-China negotiations seek a quick Seoul search for deals ahead of Trump’s visit

Setting stage for presidential summit with Xi in Beijing, Bessent and He to meet in South Korea, and the ‘3 Bs’ could be on the cards.

China readies for Trump visit amid rebound in trade growth

Surging Chinese exports will bolster the nation’s position with the US as the two countries ready for trade talks and a presidential summit this week.

China, US confirm Seoul trade talks days before Trump-Xi summit in Beijing

Meeting follows Paris round in March and a video call in April as both sides prepare for Trump’s state visit.

Are US Air Force C-17s flying cars into Beijing for Trump’s China trip?

American military cargo planes have been spotted at the Chinese capital’s main airport, suggesting that the high-stakes visit is still on.

US and Chinese officials air concerns in build-up to Trump’s Beijing visit

Despite the latest diplomatic initiatives, Beijing warns the US is threatening ‘hard-won stability’ with new smartphone restrictions.

Exclusive | Trump ally to visit China as US turns up pressure before May summit

Republican senator to lead bipartisan delegation to China next week; visit will begin on May 1, with stops planned in Shanghai and Beijing.

Exclusive | Trump-Xi summit shaped by uncertainty, not strategy: experts

War distractions and limited goals risk turning Beijing talks into optics over substance, as expectations shrink and planning falters.

As Xi-Trump summit approaches, tariffs continue to choke direct trade

Deficit with mainland hits two-decade low as trade shifts to Taiwan, Mexico and Vietnam amid tariff fallout and efforts to stabilise ties.

Trump-Xi summit: US trade chief casts doubt on pre-meeting Beijing visit

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says key Trump officials unlikely to meet Chinese counterparts, in a break from usual practice for talks.

Trump pitches China trade ‘win’ to US farmers ahead of Xi meeting, midterms

Claims come despite farmers remaining unsure if China will meet its 25 million-tonne commitment for 2026, as planting season approaches.

HSBC vows to keep investing in China as new trade growth corridors emerge

HSBC’s CEO said financial institutions needed to ‘keep up’ with the rapid expansion of Chinese companies on their journey to ‘go global’.

Exclusive | US-China ‘Board of Investment’ stalls before expected Trump-Xi meeting