China politics

To bolster their standing during the pandemic, local cadres are putting a new twist on the concept of performative governance.

Insights from Benjamin Tsai.

With all seven members of the new Politburo Standing Committee loyal to Xi, "There is no counterweight or checks and balances in the system at all."

The final preview of the upcoming 20th National Congress of the CCP was a blow for anyone hoping for a shift on foreign policy or “zero COVID.”

Insights from Victor C. Shih.

The “new era” – connoting a fundamental historical shift – has been systematically fused with the persona of Xi in Chinese official discourse.

Liu Yanping is the latest in a series of high-level officials to fall before the upcoming Party Congress.

Xi Jinping is the first leader since 1978 not to be constrained by powerful elders in the CCP.

China’s leader faces a litany of domestic and international challenges that are creating a gloomy backdrop to his anticipated reselection.

Stefan Aust and Adrian Geiges, authors of a new biography of Xi Jinping, discuss major takeaways about Xi’s life – and Xi’s China.

Unpacking the institution of the National Party Congress – its essential concepts and some common misunderstandings.