Deng Xiaoping

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Stefan Sack: ‘Change through trade’ was a successful strategy for China
For years, economic cooperation with China was motivated by the idea of "change through trade". The noble hope behind it: The People's Republic would open up by integrating deeper into the international community and increasingly adapt democratic elements in its political system. The former Vice President of the European Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, Stefan Sack, draws a sobering conclusion. "Change through trade" has worked out, he says, but not at all in the way Germany and Europe had hoped. Instead, we are the ones who have adapted our behavior to Chinese preferences due to the "dependencies of our supply chains and the greed for new growth markets. continue reading →
IfW Conversations: a ‘new era of fighting inequality’
China’s leadership is serious about its push to fight inequality. That is the conclusion of a discussion event held by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) entitled “After 40 years of poverty reduction in China: What are the challenges?” International experts even see a global trend in the shift toward more socially responsible […] continue reading →
Ration cards – China’s second currency
Due to shortages, ration stamps for commodities were part of daily life for 40 years. Beijing also used them as an instrument of power. Times have improved, and the ration stamps have become collector's items. Today, Xi Jinping would rather forget about this chapter in the history of the CP. Yet it could offer valuable lessons. In the meantime, he has turned to AI to monitor the population. continue reading →
The 6th plenum will be a historical one for Xi
The 6th plenum of the current Central Committee will convene in Beijing next week. Under normal circumstances of the post-reform era, this would herald the end of Xi Jinping's term in office. But the latter dares to break with Deng Xiaoping and wants to anchor himself even more firmly as the "core of the CP". He also wants to lift himself even further up the all-time list of the historic party hierarchy: above Deng, next to Mao. continue reading →
Xi consolidates his position at plenum
The Politburo of the Communist Party has set the exact date for an important plenary conference of the CCP’s Central Committee. The conference will be held from November 8 to 11. Such a plenum is held annually. But this year it has a special significance: It is the last plenum before a major party congress […] continue reading →
Xi targets billionaires
China's head of state Xi Jinping has proclaimed the fight against inequality. Forty years after Deng Xiaoping's liberal reforms, he sets a new course for the party: against the wealthy, for new opportunities for advancement. In this way, he wants to save the "Chinese dream." continue reading →
Where China’s leadership takes a political dive
Beijing's top politicians keep their personal affairs under lock and key. Even when they take their summer break and where they spend it. But there are clear indications that they are currently relaxing at the celebrity resort of Beidaihe 北戴河, – and not just for their vacation. continue reading →
A new daily dilemma: a country between openness and surveillance
Today, on its 100th anniversary the Communist leadership faces a major dilemma. It wants to consolidate its power and the order of the country. At the same time, it needs to allow more and more free-market economy, since economic prosperity legitimizes its power. But this requires opening up to the world. The fact that this dilemma cannot be solved by ideological concepts, but in the end only by trial and error, was demonstrated by the reformer Deng Xiaoping. But it won't be any easier for the party to reconcile the two. continue reading →
The fine art of exerting influence
Western politicians and business leaders are pondering which host gifts they can use to win over potential partners in the People's Republic. The Chinese know how to do this better. For them, handwritten calligraphy is often enough to make a foreigner's heart beat faster. Especially when it is the emperor himself who takes up the brush. continue reading →