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Two Sessions 2021 (Lianghui)

Communist Party of China at a museum in Beijing. Photo: AFP

China’s Communist Party: everything you need to know

The Communist Party of China will mark its 100th anniversary in July. In this series of explainers, the South China Morning Post looks into the past, present and future of the world’s second-largest political party.

1 Jul 2021 - 3:18PM

Opinion | How will Hong Kong’s electoral system reform play out?

9 May 2021 - 9:12AMvideocam

Hong Kong leader slams West’s ‘double standards, hypocrisy and lies’

4 Jun 2021 - 9:49PMvideocam

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How China’s census may prompt a rethink on births, greying population

Economist warns that ‘China’s population crisis is approaching’, with ‘increasingly severe’ economic and social problems, as Beijing’s policymakers have already begun to change their tune.

10 May 2021 - 11:02AMvideocam

The once-a-decade census, gauging changes in the size and diversity of China’s population, is an essential tool for future government policies. Illustration: Adolfo Arranz

Editorial | Changes to Hong Kong’s electoral system remain a hard sell

Officials say the reforms are necessary to improve governance, but the revamp also makes the goal of universal suffrage even more distant.

25 Apr 2021 - 11:28PM

Opinion | Why Hong Kong electoral reform is a double-edged sword for Beijing

With the revamped system in place, Beijing will be directly involved in local politics – whether it likes it or not. Being in the driver’s seat, it may be blamed for governance failures. Finger-pointing may ensue over livelihood issues, not just political matters.

17 Apr 2021 - 2:45PMvideocam

EU mulls suspending China extradition bills, faces internal pushback

Sources say proposal to suspend extradition treaties with Beijing will face resistance from some member states, notably Hungary.

15 Apr 2021 - 12:27PMvideocam

The European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council is expected to announce new measures against China next week. Photo: AFP

Why Hong Kong’s pro-establishment legislators will have to prove their worth

But some pro-establishment legislators warn that it is also important to make sure the legislature, which will be expanded from 70 to 90 seats, is filled with experienced members.

15 Apr 2021 - 2:41AM

Biggest winners in electoral revamp: traditional pro-Beijing groups and unions

A key amendment that raised eyebrows was the composition of a newly created 60-seat sector for grass-roots associations in the Election Committee.

14 Apr 2021 - 8:25AM

Exclusive | Ex-justice minister warns of risks to Hong Kong’s rule of law from outside

City’s first secretary for justice advised judges from other common law jurisdictions working in Hong Kong to stay above the fray.

9 Apr 2021 - 8:00AMvideocam

Former justice secretary Elsie Leung. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Hong Kong lawmakers face ousting after oath for ‘problematic’ behaviour

Constitutional affairs chief Erick Tsang also reveals the government is studying whether opposition district councillors who resign rather than pledge allegiance will have to return public funds.

7 Apr 2021 - 8:48PM

Moves such as raising an umbrella, carried out here by former legislator Leung Kwok-hung in 2016, during oath-taking is not acceptable, officials have warned. Photo: Dickson Lee

We need to raise our game after electoral shake-up, pro-Beijing camp admits

They also have to do more to reach out to alienated supporters of the opposition who feel divisions have only deepened, members of the camp say.

31 Mar 2021 - 9:11PMvideocam

China’s top legislative body approves sweeping changes to Hong Kong elections

City’s leader welcomes revamp as necessary to put Hong Kong back on right track and insists opposition camp can still play role in governing.

6 Apr 2021 - 11:53AMvideocam

December date for Hong Kong Legco polls, key role for new chief convenor

National People’s Congress Standing Committee endorses proposal expected to slash number of directly elected seats to Legislative Council, create vetting body to determine who can stand for election.

5 Apr 2021 - 1:01PM

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The number of Legislative Council seats directly elected by Hong Kong residents was slashed dramatically on Tuesday after a vote in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

Watch as China’s 14th five-year plan for 2021-25 is discussed, explained

The Hong Kong-based One Country Two Systems Research Institute is hosting an event on Tuesday, which is being live streamed on scmp.com, examining China’s 14th five-year plan that was approved at the National People’s Congress earlier this month.

30 Mar 2021 - 5:48PMvideocam

China’s 14th five-year plans covers 2021-2025. Photo: Xinhua

Letters | To change Hong Kong’s DNA, first see that it exists

Mere rhetoric and repressive actions will not help the central government achieve its purpose. Any changes to the city’s DNA must be voluntary.

28 Mar 2021 - 6:15AMvideocam

Opinion | Why Hong Kong’s electoral reform is happening at breakneck speed

Beijing has redrawn the lines for power plays in Hong Kong by giving the Election Committee a major role in choosing lawmakers. It also appears to be diminishing the role of the Heung Yee Kuk, which has become an obstacle to solving Hong Kong’s housing problem.

22 Mar 2021 - 9:15AMvideocam

Opinion | Missed chances to shape Hong Kong’s political future must not be repeated

Beijing has lost patience and thrown out much of our political structure, a setback for the democratisation of Hong Kong. Those who still wish to remain involved in civic affairs need more transparency and information from officials.

21 Mar 2021 - 2:30PMvideocam

Police officers raise China’s and Hong Kong’s flags at a ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square on March 11. Photo: Reuters

Taiwan hits back at mainland Chinese firms fishing for its chip makers

Beijing’s drive for technological self-sufficiency has led to an exodus of Taiwanese engineers lured away by the promise of a big salary.

21 Mar 2021 - 12:12PMvideocam

Explainer | 10 questions to make sense of tectonic shift in Hong Kong politics

Sweeping changes to the city’s electoral system so fast and furious many were caught by surprise.

21 Mar 2021 - 11:37AMvideocam

Chinese workers fear job discrimination will rise as retirement age is lifted

Deep-seated workplace bias in China’s labour market – on the basis of gender, age and education – has led many to believe that postponing retirement could make finding and keeping a job even more difficult.

19 Mar 2021 - 8:30PMvideocam

Beijing says that it will “gradually” increase China’s mandatory retirement ages that have been unchanged for 70 years. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong lawmakers to start discussing coming electoral shake-up

Subcommittee will be set up to immediately start discussing Beijing’s plan, including a resolution endorsed by the National People’s Congress.

19 Mar 2021 - 9:15PM

The Legislative Council will be expanded to 90 seats under the shake-up. Photo: Nora Tam

Letters | Why the old Hong Kong will endure, despite new challenges

The advantages of maintaining Hong Kong’s system will outweigh the threats perceived by Beijing and the Communist Party.

19 Mar 2021 - 7:00AMvideocam

Editorial | Now is the time for the opposition to build bridges not burn them

Beijing-imposed electoral reform has left some feeling despondent but there is still an opportunity for dialogue that must be seized.

19 Mar 2021 - 3:07AMvideocam

My Take | Why we can’t solve Hong Kong’s housing crisis

If Beijing’s electoral rollback is the stick while the push to resolve the housing problem – among other livelihood issues – is supposed to be the carrot, then most likely, Hong Kong people will end up with a heavy stick over their heads rather than a proper roof.

19 Mar 2021 - 2:42AMvideocam

The Hong Kong Housing Authority is Queen's Hill House in Fanling. Photo: Felix Wong

Opinion | China’s political gender gap: so much for women holding up half the sky

The roots of the problem of low female political participation lie in the depths of China’s patriarchal culture. Party membership is a basic requirement if a woman wants to rise through the ranks of government and yet, out of 91 million members, only 28 per cent are women.

18 Mar 2021 - 9:15AMvideocam

Women attend a meeting of the 13th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 4. Photo: Xinhua

Letters | How Hong Kong reforms will solve the housing crisis

The pro-Beijing camp, stacked with vested interests, was never serious about solving the housing problem. The pro-democracy camp was all criticism and no solutions

18 Mar 2021 - 6:30AMvideocam

Letters | Hong Kong awaits new democracy with Chinese characteristics

It is hoped Carrie Lam will do a better job of explaining the electoral reform to Hongkongers than she did with the extradition bill.

17 Mar 2021 - 6:50AM

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Two Sessions 2021 (Lianghui)

Two Sessions refers to China's annual parliamentary meetings, where the two main political bodies of China - the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) - reveal plans for China's policies involving the economy, military, trade, diplomacy, the environment and more.

last updated:

9 September, 2024