Willy’s Corner
“Helmsman” Xi Jinping primed to rule at least until the early 2030s
Introduction The Fifth Plenary Session of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) Central Committee, which took place from October 26 – 29, has elevated the status of President and CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping to that of Helmsman, a title once reserved only for the late... MORE
Beijing Raises Shenzhen’s Status at the Expense of Hong Kong
Introduction In mid-October, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Xi Jinping unveiled reformist rhetoric by pledging to turn the southern city of Shenzhen (Guangdong Province) into a "comprehensive reform pilot project" (综合改革试点, zonghe gaige shidian), and a “socialism with Chinese characteristics advance demonstration zone” (中国特色社会主义先行示范区,... MORE
The CCP Extends Its Policies of Forced Ethnic Assimilation to Inner Mongolia
Introduction The government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has extended its draconian policies regarding the forced assimilation of ethnic minorities into the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region (内蒙古自治区, Nei Menggu Zizhiqu) (IMAR). From this year’s new school term onwards, students in primary and secondary... MORE
The CCP’s Economic Plans in the Lead-Up to the Fifth Party Plenum
Introduction Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Xi Jinping has given top priority to a policy of domestic consumption and innovation to ensure “safe economic growth” and to counter U.S. President Trump’s apparent efforts to boycott high-end Chinese firms and products. According to a CCP... MORE
Beijing Imposes Its New “National Security” Law on Hong Kong (Updated)
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published as a Jamestown Early Warning Brief on July 3; it has since been updated and expanded for re-publication in this issue of China Brief. Introduction The central government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has imposed sweeping... MORE
Jamestown Early Warning Brief: Beijing Imposes Its New “National Security” Law on Hong Kong
Introduction The central government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has imposed sweeping new national security legislation on Hong Kong, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the crimes of secession, subversion of state power, terrorism, and “collusion” with foreign forces to... MORE
Beijing Announces Its Intention to Impose a New “National Security” Law on Hong Kong
Editor’s Note: This article was initially published as a Jamestown “Early Warning Brief” on May 26. It has since been updated for re-publication here. Introduction: Beijing Introduces Draft “National Security” Legislation for Hong Kong For many weeks, People’s Republic of China (PRC) authorities in Beijing... MORE
“State Companies Advance and Private Firms Retreat” in China’s Bid to Resuscitate the Economy
Introduction: Beijing’s Plans for Stimulus Spending and “Six Stabilizations” After the bombshell announcement that the Chinese economy contracted by an unprecedented 6.8 percent in the first quarter of this year, the Xi Jinping administration has vowed to do whatever it takes to resuscitate growth and... MORE
The Coronavirus Pandemic and the Rise of Chinese Civil Society
Introduction: China’s Civil Society Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic According to figures provided by People’s Republic of China (PRC) authorities, the COVID-19 pandemic peaked in early March. One day after Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Xi Jinping made his only inspection tour of Wuhan on... MORE
Beijing’s Appointment of Xia Baolong Signals a Harder Line on Hong Kong
Introduction Beijing has signaled a much tougher policy toward the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) with the announcement on February 13 that Xia Baolong (夏宝龙), the Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), would take up a concurrent appointment as Director of... MORE