TOPIC

/ people

Zhao Leji

The latest news on Chinese politician Zhao Leji, including political stories and updates.

Born

8 Mar 1957

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Chairman of the National People's Congress of China

A new law aims to codify a decade of anti-corruption practices in China, closing jurisdictional loopholes and targeting offshore financial crimes. Photo: Reuters

Corruption in China

China’s anti-corruption legal framework is about to extend beyond its borders

A draft law aimed at combating cross-border corruption has been submitted for its first reading by the country’s top legislature.

25 Aug 2026 - 7:39PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Why Ecuador’s president is in China while enhancing security links with Trump

18 Aug 2026 - 5:00AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Top legislative body to discuss Hong Kong’s shared control at upgraded crossing

16 Jun 2026 - 9:40PM

China-North Korea relations

Chinese leader Xi Jinping visit to North Korea confirmed for next week

Relations rebuilding after years of relative isolation due to pandemic, Beijing’s denuclearisation stance and closer Pyongyang-Moscow ties.

5 Jun 2026 - 6:21PMvideocam

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Pyongyang in 2019. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Letters | China’s message to Trump is clear: red line of Taiwan must be respected

Readers discuss the coming Xi-Trump summit in Beijing, and Iran’s attempt to control the Strait of Hormuz.

12 May 2026 - 11:30AM

China-New Zealand relations

China complains of ‘harassment’ from New Zealand aerial patrols near coastline

Beijing said the plane had been operating over the Yellow and East China Seas and urged Wellington not to put civilian aircraft in danger.

17 Apr 2026 - 7:58PMvideocam

China-Asean relations

Xi tells Vietnamese counterpart they should ‘jointly oppose unilateralism’

On To Lam’s state visit, Chinese president also urges keeping ‘supply chains stable and unimpeded’ as Iran war deepens global energy crisis.

15 Apr 2026 - 7:59PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping (second left) and his wife Peng Liyuan (left) welcome Vietnamese President To Lam and his wife Ngo Phuong Ly in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Vietnam News Agency/AFP

Diplomacy

Editorial | International forums underscore China’s enduring push to open up

In the wake of the ‘two sessions’, Beijing is taking advantage of key annual conferences to speak with global stakeholders about its agenda.

29 Mar 2026 - 7:15AM

Boao Forum for Asia

Singapore PM sees China helping small groups net big results for Asia

Beijing could also spearhead areas like AI governance and play greater role in promoting economic prosperity, he adds.

26 Mar 2026 - 6:52PM

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.

26 Mar 2026 - 2:39PM

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, at the Boao Forum for Asia in Boao, south China’s Hainan province, on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong economy

Singapore’s Lawrence Wong to visit Hong Kong after Boao Forum trip

Wong’s three-day visit will be his first to Hong Kong as prime minister.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:23PM

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will visit Hong Kong for three days. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Editorial | Starmer’s visit to China highlights benefits of dialogue over confrontation

While several deals were struck on the UK prime minister’s trip, the most important outcome is the willingness of the leaders of both countries to work constructively together.

31 Jan 2026 - 7:15AM

China-South Korea relations

Li Qiang and Lee Jae Myung back free trade and multilateralism in Beijing talks

In meeting with visiting South Korean president, Chinese premier calls for cooperation in AI, new energy and high-end manufacturing.

6 Jan 2026 - 8:19PMvideocam

China-South Korea relations

South Korea’s Lee to ‘push denuclearisation, end to culture ban’ in China

Four-day trip starting on Sunday will make Lee Jae-myung the first sitting South Korean president to visit since 2019.

2 Jan 2026 - 11:38PMvideocam

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet on the margins of the Apec forum in Gyeongju, South Korea, in November 2025. Photo: dpa

China-New Zealand relations

7 Chinese warships followed our navy vessel in East Asia, New Zealand says

Wellington says ship was to carry out surveillance and deterrence activities to bolster UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea.

9 Dec 2025 - 10:18PMvideocam

The HMNZS Aotearoa, a Polar-class replenishment vessel of the New Zealand Navy, was deployed to the East China and Yellow seas with allies in November. Photo: Handout via Reuters

China-France relations

Macron begins China visit with EU trade ties and Ukraine war high on the agenda

The French president lands in Beijing on the first leg of a tour where he is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

3 Dec 2025 - 8:15PMvideocam

New Zealand

China’s No 3 official Zhao Leji calls for closer New Zealand trade ties

Zhao is in Australia after four-day trip to New Zealand, the first such visits by China’s top lawmaker since 2005.

23 Nov 2025 - 5:02PM

US-China relations

US delegation’s ‘ice-breaking’ China visit hints at thaw in relations

Foreign ministry describes talks with US bipartisan group of lawmakers as ‘candid, in-depth’ exchange of views.

24 Sep 2025 - 5:38PMvideocam

US Representative Adam Smith (left) shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as he leads a bipartisan group of US lawmakers for a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. Wang called on Washington to treasure the current “stabilising trend” in bilateral relations while upholding its “political commitments” regarding Taiwan. Photo: EPA/POOL

Chile

Senior Chilean lawmaker investigated over actions involving Chinese businessman

Records show ex-president of country’s lower house helped arrange for retail centre owner to join official parliamentary trip to mainland.

21 Jun 2025 - 1:20AM

China-New Zealand relations

‘No conflict of interest’ between China and New Zealand, Xi tells Luxon

New Zealand leader’s China trip focuses on trade and tourism, but differences over Pacific island ties cast a shadow.

20 Jun 2025 - 6:57PM

China’s Communist Party

China is getting ready for a key meeting to discuss its next 5-year plan

President Xi Jinping says leadership is ‘organising the drafting of a proposal’, which will need to be endorsed at the fourth plenum.

25 May 2025 - 2:00PMvideocam

President Xi Jinping has been travelling around the country on inspection tours ahead of the fourth plenum. Photo: TNS

Two Sessions 2025

China’s No 3 returns to public spotlight after missing end of ‘two sessions’

The chairman of the National People’s Congress skipped its closing ceremony this week due to a respiratory tract infection.

12 Mar 2025 - 9:40PMvideocam

Zhao Leji meets state media employees on Wednesday a day after missing the NPC closing session due to ill health. Photo: CCTV

Two Sessions 2025

Why was China’s No 3 official Zhao Leji missing at the end of ‘two sessions’?

Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and former corruption body secretary was last seen in public on Saturday.

11 Mar 2025 - 7:12PMvideocam

China's economic recovery

Win-win: China rolls out red carpet for foreign firms with charm offensive

Nearly all of China’s top-level officials responsible for economic affairs have met or have plans to meet with multinational executives amid Beijing’s push to revive confidence and lure foreign investment.

27 Mar 2024 - 9:22AM

China-Africa relations

Focused on Global South, China upgrades ties with Angola

Beijing is a reliable friend and sincere partner for countries in Africa, Xi Jinping tells visiting Angolan President Joao Lourenco.

16 Mar 2024 - 10:00PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping accompanies Angolan President Joao Lourenco during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. Photo: Xinhua

Two Sessions 2024

China vows to revise law to promote patriotism and public defence support

Premier Li Qiang says Beijing will help unity ‘between the military and the government, and between the military and the people’.

8 Mar 2024 - 7:37PMvideocam

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, delivers a work report of the NPC Standing Committee at the second plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC. Photo: Xinhua

China-Africa relations

Sierra Leone leader’s visit to China shines light on Xi’s challenge to West

As the Chinese leader met President Bio in Beijing, the pair pledged to ‘safeguard’ African interests on the global stage.

2 Mar 2024 - 10:00AMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

Success of China’s revised state secrets law depends on publicity, says official

Head of the National Administration of State Secrets Protection wrote that public must know their obligations under amended Law on Guarding State Secrets.

28 Feb 2024 - 8:16PM

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Zhao Leji

China’s anti-corruption legal framework is about to extend beyond its borders

A draft law aimed at combating cross-border corruption has been submitted for its first reading by the country’s top legislature.

Why Ecuador’s president is in China while enhancing security links with Trump

Top legislative body to discuss Hong Kong’s shared control at upgraded crossing

Chinese leader Xi Jinping visit to North Korea confirmed for next week

Relations rebuilding after years of relative isolation due to pandemic, Beijing’s denuclearisation stance and closer Pyongyang-Moscow ties.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Letters | China’s message to Trump is clear: red line of Taiwan must be respected

Readers discuss the coming Xi-Trump summit in Beijing, and Iran’s attempt to control the Strait of Hormuz.

China complains of ‘harassment’ from New Zealand aerial patrols near coastline

Beijing said the plane had been operating over the Yellow and East China Seas and urged Wellington not to put civilian aircraft in danger.

Xi tells Vietnamese counterpart they should ‘jointly oppose unilateralism’

On To Lam’s state visit, Chinese president also urges keeping ‘supply chains stable and unimpeded’ as Iran war deepens global energy crisis.

Editorial | International forums underscore China’s enduring push to open up

In the wake of the ‘two sessions’, Beijing is taking advantage of key annual conferences to speak with global stakeholders about its agenda.

Singapore PM sees China helping small groups net big results for Asia

Beijing could also spearhead areas like AI governance and play greater role in promoting economic prosperity, he adds.

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.

Singapore’s Lawrence Wong to visit Hong Kong after Boao Forum trip

Wong’s three-day visit will be his first to Hong Kong as prime minister.

Editorial | Starmer’s visit to China highlights benefits of dialogue over confrontation

While several deals were struck on the UK prime minister’s trip, the most important outcome is the willingness of the leaders of both countries to work constructively together.

Li Qiang and Lee Jae Myung back free trade and multilateralism in Beijing talks

In meeting with visiting South Korean president, Chinese premier calls for cooperation in AI, new energy and high-end manufacturing.

South Korea’s Lee to ‘push denuclearisation, end to culture ban’ in China

Four-day trip starting on Sunday will make Lee Jae-myung the first sitting South Korean president to visit since 2019.

7 Chinese warships followed our navy vessel in East Asia, New Zealand says

Wellington says ship was to carry out surveillance and deterrence activities to bolster UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea.

Macron begins China visit with EU trade ties and Ukraine war high on the agenda

The French president lands in Beijing on the first leg of a tour where he is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

China’s No 3 official Zhao Leji calls for closer New Zealand trade ties

Zhao is in Australia after four-day trip to New Zealand, the first such visits by China’s top lawmaker since 2005.

US delegation’s ‘ice-breaking’ China visit hints at thaw in relations

Foreign ministry describes talks with US bipartisan group of lawmakers as ‘candid, in-depth’ exchange of views.

Senior Chilean lawmaker investigated over actions involving Chinese businessman

Records show ex-president of country’s lower house helped arrange for retail centre owner to join official parliamentary trip to mainland.

‘No conflict of interest’ between China and New Zealand, Xi tells Luxon

New Zealand leader’s China trip focuses on trade and tourism, but differences over Pacific island ties cast a shadow.

China is getting ready for a key meeting to discuss its next 5-year plan

President Xi Jinping says leadership is ‘organising the drafting of a proposal’, which will need to be endorsed at the fourth plenum.

China’s No 3 returns to public spotlight after missing end of ‘two sessions’

The chairman of the National People’s Congress skipped its closing ceremony this week due to a respiratory tract infection.

Why was China’s No 3 official Zhao Leji missing at the end of ‘two sessions’?

Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and former corruption body secretary was last seen in public on Saturday.

Win-win: China rolls out red carpet for foreign firms with charm offensive

Nearly all of China’s top-level officials responsible for economic affairs have met or have plans to meet with multinational executives amid Beijing’s push to revive confidence and lure foreign investment.

Focused on Global South, China upgrades ties with Angola

Beijing is a reliable friend and sincere partner for countries in Africa, Xi Jinping tells visiting Angolan President Joao Lourenco.

China vows to revise law to promote patriotism and public defence support

Premier Li Qiang says Beijing will help unity ‘between the military and the government, and between the military and the people’.

Sierra Leone leader’s visit to China shines light on Xi’s challenge to West

As the Chinese leader met President Bio in Beijing, the pair pledged to ‘safeguard’ African interests on the global stage.

Success of China’s revised state secrets law depends on publicity, says official

Head of the National Administration of State Secrets Protection wrote that public must know their obligations under amended Law on Guarding State Secrets.

Letters | China’s message to Trump is clear: red line of Taiwan must be respected