Beijing Power Struggle Sinks Red Princess’s HK Firm

A property company controlled by a niece of former Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong is sinking deeper in default as the power struggle between Zeng (above, left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping intensifies. The rivalry between Xi and his adversaries is heating up in the run-up to the sixth plenum of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to be held in Beijing from November 8 to 11.  It has grown so serious that Xi apparently declined the invitation to attend the Glasgow Climate Summit, the year’s most important such international…

Xi Jinping tells G20 ‘developed countries’ should lead on global emissions

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he had failed to convince Xi to commit to bring forward China‘s peak emissions by five years, according to The Times. Advertisement “I pushed a bit on that – ‘25 would be better than 2030’. But then I wouldn’t say he committed on that,” Johnson said en route to Rome, referring to a telephone call he held with Xi on Friday. “The other point where I was evangelical was the potential to move away from coal. [Xi] said, ‘China depends on coal for our…

Xi Jinping calls for mutual Covid vaccine approvals

China’s president, Xi Jinping, has called for mutual recognition of Covid-19 vaccines based on the World Health Organization’s emergency use list, according to a transcript of his remarks delivered to leaders of the Group of 20 leaders’ summit, published by the official Xinhua news agency. Speaking to the participants in Rome via video link, Xi said China had provided more than 1.6bn Covid shots to the world, and was working with 16 nations to cooperate on manufacturing doses. “China is willing to work with all parties to improve the accessibility…

Xi Hasn’t Left China in 21 Months. Covid May Be Only Part of the Reason.

When the presidents and prime ministers of the Group of 20 nations meet in Rome this weekend, China’s leader, Xi Jinping, won’t be among them. Nor is he expected at the climate talks next week in Glasgow, where China’s commitment to curbing carbon emissions is seen as crucial to helping blunt the dire consequences of climate change. He has yet to meet President Biden in person and seems unlikely to any time soon. Mr. Xi has not left China in 21 months — and counting. The ostensible reason for Mr.…

Chaoyang masses: the rise of Beijing’s neighbourhood patrols

They are often seen wearing a red armband patrolling residential neighbourhoods of Chaoyang, the biggest district of Beijing, which is home to nearly 3.5 million people. On a sunny late autumn afternoon, they will sit with a group of retirees in the sun and chat away. But when an individual of interest turns up, their attention quickly diverts to them. In Chinese media and official police statements, these vigilante neighbourhood watchers are called the “Chaoyang masses”. Last week, the state-owned Global Times went a step further, quoting internet users as…