Tracking, spying, intimidating: The working conditions of foreign journalists in China are worse than they have been for decades. Even COVID is used as an excuse for surveillance. China's leadership doesn't seem to care about the external impact – even in view of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. A field report.
By Felix Lee
When the cameras pan to President Xi Jinping at the National People's Congress, six men are visible to his left and right. They are between sixty and seventy years old and belong to the most powerful body in the state: the Standing Committee of the Communist Party's Politburo. The concentration of power on Xi makes their appearance fade somewhat, but nevertheless: Everyone in this exclusive circle plays a clear role in steering the party, developing its ideology, and thus ensuring its hold on power.
By Redaktion Table
China wants to make its financial markets more solid with the 14th Five-Year Plan and bring the regional governments and the economy down from high debt levels. It also aims to reduce the risk of bubbles. Can this be achieved without slowing down the momentum on the markets?
By
The leadership in Beijing has set growth at a relatively low six percent. Apparently, it fears overheating and stresses that it is aiming for "qualitative" growth. The IMF expects growth of over eight percent. Exports, in particular, have been booming for several months.
By Felix Lee
China's official military budget is growing by 6.8 percent. This means that the increase is in line with previous years. In any case, experts assume that the actual expenditure is higher. For example, pensions, construction projects, and the military police are booked in other budgets. Beijing wants to have modern, technologically powerful armed forces by 2027 – and thus also protect its own investments abroad.
By Christiane Kuehl
Wang Huning is exceptional among Chinese leadership technocrats. He has served as chief adviser to three presidents since 1995. His signature can be found in the teachings of Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, and Xi Jinping. But Wang's once aspirational goal of greater democracy has since receded into the distant future.
By Table.Briefings
China's government leader Li Keqiang opened this year's plenary session of the Chinese People's Congress in Beijing this morning. The main points are: stronger market economic reforms, accelerating research and development, strengthening smaller businesses, more domestic consumption, expanding the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). At the same time, China plans to increase its military budget by 6.8 percent this year. That is 0.1 percent more than last year. In addition, Beijing wants to further restrict the leeway of the Hong Kong parliament.
By Frank Sieren
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is the largest political organization in the world - and by far the most powerful. To mark the centenary of its founding in July 2021, China.Table took a look at how the party has been able to bring the country under such seamless control despite all the setbacks.We analyze its undeniable successes for economic development as well as human rights crimes. We also look to the future: can the Chinese Communist Party and Xi Jinping defend their unassailable position? All articles and news on 100 years of the Chinese Communist Party at a glance.
