The poisoned peacemaker: why China can’t abandon Putin
The history of Sino-Russian relations is long and complicated, but Xi Jinping is not ready to sacrifice his relationship with…
ByXi Jinping
Xi Jinping is general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (since 2012) and president of China (since 2013). He was born in 1953 and joined the Communist Party in 1974. He studied chemical engineering at Tsinghua University. From 1999 to 2002 he was governor of Fujian province, and was governor of Zhejiang for the next five years; he was first secretary of the Central Secretariat from 2007 and became the presumed successor to the presidency in 2008.
China attempts to play peacemaker on Ukraine
While Beijing proposes peace talks, the close relationship between Xi and Putin undermines China’s claim to be a neutral arbiter.
By
China backs Russia in calling for an end to Nato expansion
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping meet for talks and a display of solidarity in Beijing.
By
China doesn’t just want to be part of the global order – it wants to shape it
As the Winter Olympics begin in Beijing amid growing geopolitical tension, Xi Jinping's message is clear: the days of seeking…
By
Putin and Xi “synchronise their watches” on Ukraine
The two leaders will discuss the crisis this week in talks ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
By
With the Beijing Winter Olympics near, can China sustain its “zero Covid” strategy?
As the rest of the world learns to live with coronavirus, China is increasingly isolated.
By
What the Thucydides Trap gets wrong about China
The theory goes that war is inevitable when an emerging power threatens to displace an old one. But when it…
By
The UK must abandon “democratic defeatism” if it’s to stand up to China
Beijing’s selective application of international rules is changing the world for the worse.
By
X is for Xi Jinping: At the peak of his powers, China’s president is nowhere and everywhere on the world stage
The leader didn’t leave his country once in 2021, but dominated the minds, summits and treaties of the West.
By
The downfall of Evergrande foreshadows a difficult decade for China – and for Xi Jinping
If the Chinese Communist Party doesn’t handle the property giant’s default carefully, the economic and political consequences could be seismic.
By
The US is boycotting the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. China’s not happy.
Chinese officials have condemned Joe Biden’s decision but could other countries follow suit?
By
Kevin Rudd: “China views the UK as weaker after Brexit”
It wasn’t just bad for Britain, says Australia’s former prime minister – Brexit hurt the liberal democratic order as well.
By
Can Joe Biden and Xi Jinping work together?
Both leaders must work out how to balance the protection of national interests with the need for cooperation on global…
By
How the Chinese Communist Party is policing the past to secure its future
What a “historical nihilism hotline” and a new party resolution tell us about Xi Jinping’s vision for China.
By
Nathan Law: From Poland to the UK, “freedom is under threat”
The pro-democracy activist and author warns that the authoritarian crackdown taking place in Hong Kong can happen anywhere.
By
Can Boris Johnson really claim that the world has “pulled back a goal or two” against climate change?
As leaders leave Glasgow, there are dramatic gaps that still need to be filled if humanity is to have a…
By
Can the world trust China on climate change?
Xi Jinping’s attempts to win the world’s confidence on environmental policy relies on the US’s failure to do likewise.
By
Xie Zhenhua: can China’s climate envoy make a difference at Cop26?
The highly regarded veteran of China’s climate team embodies an important and rare openness to the world.
By
Why we shouldn’t panic – just yet – about China increasing coal production
Climate campaigners are hoping China’s coal crisis is a short-term blip.
By