Latest China Brief Articles
The 2021 Party History Study Campaign Stresses Revolution and Sacrifice
On June 15, Qiushi, the leading theoretical journal of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) published an article by CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) titled, “Taking history as a mirror, use history to demonstrate convictions, know history and love the party, know history and love... MORE
Looking Back on Short Flashes of Liberalization in the Chinese Communist Party’s 100 Years
Introduction After Mao Zedong (毛泽东, 1893-1976) became the undisputed leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1936, he began a thorough-going purge of the party’s earliest generation of free-thinking intellectuals in the temporary party headquarters at Yan’an, Shaanxi Province. Since then, the CCP has... MORE
Military Political Work at the CCP’s Centennial
Introduction The phrase “military political work” (军队政治工作, jundui zhengzhi gongzuo) is an overarching term that describes all the efforts and activities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aimed at managing human capital and influencing the civilian environment in order to achieve the political and military... MORE
Globalizing Leninist Institutions: Trends in Overseas Party Building
Introduction The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Organization Department’s initiatives to build an organizational infrastructure with global reach evoke China’s revolutionary tradition, drawing lessons from history as the CCP prepares to celebrate its centennial this year. In the early 20th century, overseas party branches of both... MORE
Post-Reform Developments in Village and Neighborhood Party Building
Introduction The Chinese President Xi Jinping (习近平) has repeatedly mentioned local governance capacity when reflecting on China’s successful management of the Covid-19 pandemic, crediting the active participation of grassroots organizations in the public health response and stressing the need to solidify the foundations of governance... MORE
Editor’s Note to the Special Issue on the Chinese Communist Party (June 2021)
Editor’s Note: This is a special theme issue of China Brief, taking the opportunity of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s upcoming centennial celebrations (on July 1) to focus analysis on the CCP’s past, present and future. Over its 100 years of history, the CCP has... MORE
Chinese Leaders Project Confidence in Self-Sufficiency Amid Post-Pandemic Food Security Concerns
The Chinese agronomist and “Father of Hybrid Rice'' Yuan Longping (袁隆平) passed away on May 22. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent his condolences to Yuan’s family, and the state news agency Xinhua ran a rare weekend commentary to honor his passing—actions more usually suited to... MORE
Automation and Digitalization of Justice in China’s Smart Court Systems
Introduction The automation of justice has become a worldwide phenomenon. Various big data and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven technological applications have been introduced in the administration of justice over the past years. These range from predictive analytics to automated divorce proceedings and automated decisions in small... MORE
Beijing Boosts its Position as a “Himalayan Hegemon” Through Hydropower
Introduction China’s building of ambitious hydropower and water diversion projects, and increasing focus on the Himalayan ecosystem as a critical developmental resource, has increased tensions with its regional neighbors, particularly India. The Chinese state contractor PowerChina in November 2020 announced plans for a 60-gigawatt dam... MORE
Suez Closure Brightens the Future of China’s New Silk Road
Introduction On March 23, the 240,000-ton, 1,312 feet long (399 meters) Panama-flagged MV container ship Ever Given, drawing 47 ft 7 in (14.5 meters) and carrying 20,000 containers from China’s Yantian International Container Terminal in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province bound for Rotterdam, accidentally grounded its bow... MORE