Chinese leaders hint at increased focus on politics and Communist Party discipline for coming year

The central government may still unveil more forceful stimulus packages later at the annual “two sessions”, when the national legislature and top political advisory body meet, but it is unlikely Beijing will make economic growth the only priority. But, in a break with precedent, Wednesday’s meeting concluded with no reference to the third plenum, an … Read more

China’s anti-corruption watchdog says 110,000 Communist Party officials faced disciplinary action last year

Despite previously hailing an “overwhelming victory” against corruption, Xi told the CCDI’s annual planning event earlier this month that the party must continue to fight graft and other problems with “tenacity, perseverance and precision” to transcend “the historical cycle of rise and fall”. ‘Long and arduous’ road ahead for China’s attempt to discipline party ranks … Read more

China’s disciplinary enforcers add ‘bad’ books, sex, drugs to serious offences

Previously, the regulation said only that the buying and disseminating of sensitive works would be punished. Now, party members face serious warning, disciplinary probation or even expulsion if they are found to have read proscribed materials. Chinese officials must feel they are being ‘followed by shadows’, Xi says The powerful party watchdog has listed the … Read more

What explains the changes to Hong Kong leader’s annual duty visit to Beijing? They signal Chinese President Xi Jinping’s bigger, more direct role in city affairs, observers say

For Hong Kong, led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, the changes could result in improved execution of policies in matters of national security and district administration, policy pundits said after analysing remarks from Xi and Lee. President Xi Jinping presides over Monday’s meeting with John Lee sitting to his right and Premier Li Qiang … Read more

Ethnic Chinese man in Australia found guilty of foreign interference, in first of its kind court verdict

An Australia court on Tuesday found a Melbourne man who held prominent positions in Chinese community associations guilty of planning an act of foreign interference, the first verdict of its kind under a law introduced in 2018. Police in Victoria state had charged Di Sanh Duong, a former member of the Liberal Party, in 2020 … Read more