At the 20th Party Congress, set to begin on 16 October, Chinese President Xi Jinping is widely expected to secure a third leadership term, cementing his stature as the country's most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong.

Chinese President Xi Jinping expected to secure a third leadership term

<p data-testid="paragraph-0">&nbsp;China's Xi Jinping became the country's top leader a decade ago when he was named general secretary of the Communist Party and chairman of the Central Military Commission at the party's 18th congress. The following March he became president.</p>

<p data-testid="paragraph-1">At the 20th Party Congress, set to begin on October&nbsp;16, Xi is widely expected to&nbsp;secure a third leadership term, cementing his stature as the country's most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China.</p>

<p data-testid="paragraph-2">Xi accumulated power both through specific one-time moves and gradually over time. In doing so he moved China from a tradition of collective leadership, with the general secretary considered first among equals on the politburo standing committee, to what is now widely seen as supreme leadership.</p>

<p data-testid="paragraph-3">Following are key ways that Xi strengthened his grip, according to analysts and experts:</p>

<ul>
	<li data-testid="paragraph-4">He circumvented economic policy-making responsibilities typically held by the premier by chairing various "small leading groups", including a new group formed in 2012 after he came to power for "reform and opening up", as well as an existing group on finance.</li>
	<li data-testid="paragraph-5">He undertook a sweeping campaign to purge officials deemed disloyal, corrupt or ineffective, and built his power base by filling those vacant posts with allies. So far, 4.7 million officials have been investigated.</li>
	<li data-testid="paragraph-6">Xi put trusted allies in charge of party human resources management who control key personnel appointments. His first Organisation Department chief was Zhao Leji, whose father had worked under Xi's father; he was followed in 2017 by Chen Xi, a former Xi schoolmate from Tsinghua University.</li>
	<li data-testid="paragraph-7">He tightened control of the military by initiating sweeping reforms and retrenchment from 2015.</li>
	<li data-testid="paragraph-8">He controlled the domestic security apparatus with an ongoing "cleansing" campaign that has brought down many police chiefs and judges.</li>
	<li data-testid="paragraph-9">&nbsp;From 2015, he ordered the parliament and other bodies including the cabinet and supreme court to brief him on their annual work reports</li>
	<li data-testid="paragraph-10">Xi told state media in 2016 to toe the party line, that their "surname is the party". Since then, media freedoms steadily decreased, while Xi-related propaganda steadily increased.</li>
	<li data-testid="paragraph-11">He formally established himself as the "core" of the party - party-speak for paramount leader, in 2016.</li>
	<li data-testid="paragraph-12">Xi amended the party constitution in 2017 to include Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. Having an eponymous ideology put him on par only with Mao and Deng Xiaoping.</li>
	<li data-testid="paragraph-13">He made explicit the supreme role of the party by proclaiming in 2017: "Party, government, military, people, education; east, south, west, north, central: the party leads everything."</li>
	<li data-testid="paragraph-14">He amended the country's constitution in 2018 to abolish term limits for the presidency, removing a obstacle for him to rule for life.</li>
	<li data-testid="paragraph-15">The party pledged to uphold the "Two Establishes", party-speak for loyalty to him, in a historical resolution passed in 2021.</li>
</ul>


China's Xi Jinping became the country's top leader a decade ago when he was named general secretary of the Communist Party and chairman of the Central Military Commission at the party's 18th congress.

China's Xi Jinping became the country's top leader a decade ago when he was named general secretary of the Communist Party and chairman of the Central Military Commission at the party's 18th congress. The following March he became president. At the 20th Party Congress, set to begin on October 16, Xi is widely expected to secure a third leadership term, cementing his stature as the country's most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China. Xi accumulated power both through specific one-time moves and gradually over time. In doing so he moved China from a tradition of collective leadership, with the general secretary considered first among equals on the politburo standing committee, to what is now widely seen as supreme leadership. Following are key ways that Xi strengthened his grip, according to analysts and experts: He circumvented economic policy-making responsibilities typically held by the premier by chairing various "small leading groups", including a new group formed in 2012 after he came to power for "reform and opening up", as well as an existing group on finance. He undertook a sweeping campaign to purge officials deemed disloyal, corrupt or ineffective, and built his power base by filling those vacant posts with allies. So far, 4.7 million officials have been investigated. Xi put trusted allies in charge of party human resources management who control key personnel appointments. His first Organisation Department chief was Zhao Leji, whose father had worked under Xi's father; he was followed in 2017 by Chen Xi, a former Xi schoolmate from Tsinghua University. He tightened control of the military by initiating sweeping reforms and retrenchment from 2015. He controlled the domestic security apparatus with an ongoing "cleansing" campaign that has brought down many police chiefs and judges. From 2015, he ordered the parliament and other bodies including the cabinet and supreme court to brief him on their annual work reports Xi told state media in 2016 to toe the party line, that their "surname is the party". Since then, media freedoms steadily decreased, while Xi-related propaganda steadily increased. He formally established himself as the "core" of the party - party-speak for paramount leader, in 2016. Xi amended the party constitution in 2017 to include Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. Having an eponymous ideology put him on par only with Mao and Deng Xiaoping. He made explicit the supreme role of the party by proclaiming in 2017: "Party, government, military, people, education; east, south, west, north, central: the party leads everything." He amended the country's constitution in 2018 to abolish term limits for the presidency, removing a obstacle for him to rule for life. The party pledged to uphold the "Two Establishes", party-speak for loyalty to him, in a historical resolution passed in 2021.

Here's how Chinese President Xi Jinping amassed power over a decade

Chinese President Xi Jinping briefed the Communist Party's inner circle in countdown to landmark CPC congress. On October 16th, the Communist Party of China is holding its once in five years National Congress.

China: Xi Jinping briefs Communist Party's inner circle in countdown to landmark CPC congress

On October 16th, the Communist Party of China is holding its once in five years National Congress. It's a big day for China and a crucial day for the world leaders as China will be shaping policies for the next five years. Watch the video to know more about China's plan for Taiwan in the next five years.

China's Xi Jinping's unification plan with Taiwan

Later this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to secure a third term. What does this mean for Chinese society? Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: Why Xi Jinping feels art is a threat

President Xi Jinping is all set to secure a third term at the Communist Party’s congress this month. But there are a few factors that could determine whether he will be successful in cementing his power over the CPC. Priyanka Sharma tells you what these factors are and what it means for the CPC.

Wion Fineprint | President Xi's success at the CPC Congress: The six factors at play

<p>China’s biggest political event is all set to take place on October 16, when members of the Chinese Community Party (CCP) will assemble in Beijing for the once-every-five-year national congress to vote for new leadership.</p>

<p>On that day, Chinese President Xi Jinping will most likely be voted for another five-year term, which is unprecedented in the country’s history, and be declared the ‘Chairman’ of the CCP—a post only held by the founding father of modern China, Mao Zedong.</p>

<p>Though a change in top leadership is expected, the same cannot be said about the women party members hoping to make a mark.</p>

<p>Studies have shown that the women cadres are often handed out stereotypical roles such as education, civil affairs, and in mass organisations. While the more high-profile portfolios such as economics, finance, industry and technology are assigned to men.</p>

<p>According to government statistics, there are only 30 women in the 371-member Central Committee, which elects the Politburo – China’s highest policymaking body. The number has not increased, rather at times it has fallen below the average, reports South China Morning Post newspaper.</p>

<p>It further highlighted that there has never been a female member of the Politburo Standing Committee, the leadership’s highest decision-making body,</p>

<p>So far, only two women have managed to be in the top tier of the party structure.</p>

<p>Wu Yi, a vice-mayor of Beijing, became deputy minister of foreign trade and economic cooperation in 1991. She was appointed to the Politburo in 2002 and became a vice-premier the following year.</p>

<p>Another woman to have&nbsp;risen through the ranks is Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan. She is the sixth woman to be a member of the Politburo and the highest-ranking woman in China’s current leadership&nbsp;but is all set to retire in the upcoming congress session.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-xi-all-set-to-usurp-mao-era-chairman-post-for-self-at-upcoming-party-congress-522252">China’s Xi all set to usurp Mao-era ‘Chairman’ post at upcoming party congress: Report</a></p>

<p>Experts argue that there may have been very few examples of women cadres rising through the ranks.</p>

<p>A professor who teaches Chinese politics at the Australian National University told the newspaper that it takes at least 15 to 20 years for a female party member to reach the highest office.</p>

<p>“Once the quota has been filled [in each department], we rarely see additional efforts made to promote more female cadres,” Fengming Lu was quoted as saying.</p>

<p>He further said that that women cadres were less likely to be considered for first-in-command positions than their male counterparts.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE: </strong></p>

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China’s biggest political event is all set to take place on October 16, when members of the Chinese Community Party (CCP) will assemble in Beijing for the once-every-five-year national congress to vote for new leadership.

China’s biggest political event is all set to take place on October 16, when members of the Chinese Community Party (CCP) will assemble in Beijing for the once-every-five-year national congress to vote for new leadership. On that day, Chinese President Xi Jinping will most likely be voted for another five-year term, which is unprecedented in the country’s history, and be declared the ‘Chairman’ of the CCP—a post only held by the founding father of modern China, Mao Zedong. Though a change in top leadership is expected, the same cannot be said about the women party members hoping to make a mark. Studies have shown that the women cadres are often handed out stereotypical roles such as education, civil affairs, and in mass organisations. While the more high-profile portfolios such as economics, finance, industry and technology are assigned to men. According to government statistics, there are only 30 women in the 371-member Central Committee, which elects the Politburo – China’s highest policymaking body. The number has not increased, rather at times it has fallen below the average, reports South China Morning Post newspaper. It further highlighted that there has never been a female member of the Politburo Standing Committee, the leadership’s highest decision-making body, So far, only two women have managed to be in the top tier of the party structure. Wu Yi, a vice-mayor of Beijing, became deputy minister of foreign trade and economic cooperation in 1991. She was appointed to the Politburo in 2002 and became a vice-premier the following year. Another woman to have risen through the ranks is Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan. She is the sixth woman to be a member of the Politburo and the highest-ranking woman in China’s current leadership but is all set to retire in the upcoming congress session. Also read | China’s Xi all set to usurp Mao-era ‘Chairman’ post at upcoming party congress: Report Experts argue that there may have been very few examples of women cadres rising through the ranks. A professor who teaches Chinese politics at the Australian National University told the newspaper that it takes at least 15 to 20 years for a female party member to reach the highest office. “Once the quota has been filled [in each department], we rarely see additional efforts made to promote more female cadres,” Fengming Lu was quoted as saying. He further said that that women cadres were less likely to be considered for first-in-command positions than their male counterparts. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

At upcoming CCP congress, will women cadres be promoted to high offices?

Ahead of the Communist Party Congress, there is intense speculation. The prospect of Xi Jinping taking the title of "Chairman" has sparked a debate. Why would the Chinese President want the "Chairman" title?

Gravitas: Will Xi Jinping become Chairman of China?

<p>In less than two weeks, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will be convening its 20th National Congress on October 16, where President Xi Jinping would be seeking an unprecedented third five-year term.</p>

<p>He will do so by amending the constitution to abolish the presidential term limits. There are reports which strongly suggest that Xi will try to revive the Mao-era title of "chairman" for himself, usurping the supreme status in the party hierarchy for the rest of his life.</p>

<p>The move comes amid reports of a Mao-style personality cult growing around the Chinese leader, as institutions and political figures declare complete allegiance to Xi, who is a devoted student of Mao Zedong, and his personal brand of political ideology.</p>

<p>The title has been attached to Mao, the founding father of modern China, who held it until his death in 1976. It was abolished in 1982 and was replaced by the general secretary.</p>

<p>The constitution at that time granted the party chairman broad powers, including command of the country's armed forces.</p>

<p>Several experts noted that the amendment could personify Xi’s personal brand of ideology to “Xi Jinping Thought,” which would bring it closer in status to “Mao Zedong Thought” in the popular consciousness, Reuters news agency reported.</p>

<p>Among other potential changes include the establishment of Xi as the “core” of the party, and his ideas as its guiding principles, or the reinstatement of the post of party chairman, which was abolished in 1982, it said.</p>

<p>Since the 1990s, changes to the party constitution have primarily focused on adding the political philosophies of the new leadership to an ever-increasing list of party’s charting political doctrines, underscoring their historical status.</p>

<p>Since being founded in 1921, the CCP has amended its constitution at each party congress, reflecting the changes in its direction.</p>

<p>There are nearly 100 million members of the CCP, and yet there is very little knowledge as to how its top leadership operates.</p>

<p>(Wit<em>h inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE: </strong></p>

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In less than two weeks, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will be convening its 20th National Congress on October 16, where President Xi Jinping would be seeking an unprecedented third five-year term.

In less than two weeks, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will be convening its 20th National Congress on October 16, where President Xi Jinping would be seeking an unprecedented third five-year term. He will do so by amending the constitution to abolish the presidential term limits. There are reports which strongly suggest that Xi will try to revive the Mao-era title of "chairman" for himself, usurping the supreme status in the party hierarchy for the rest of his life. The move comes amid reports of a Mao-style personality cult growing around the Chinese leader, as institutions and political figures declare complete allegiance to Xi, who is a devoted student of Mao Zedong, and his personal brand of political ideology. The title has been attached to Mao, the founding father of modern China, who held it until his death in 1976. It was abolished in 1982 and was replaced by the general secretary. The constitution at that time granted the party chairman broad powers, including command of the country's armed forces. Several experts noted that the amendment could personify Xi’s personal brand of ideology to “Xi Jinping Thought,” which would bring it closer in status to “Mao Zedong Thought” in the popular consciousness, Reuters news agency reported. Among other potential changes include the establishment of Xi as the “core” of the party, and his ideas as its guiding principles, or the reinstatement of the post of party chairman, which was abolished in 1982, it said. Since the 1990s, changes to the party constitution have primarily focused on adding the political philosophies of the new leadership to an ever-increasing list of party’s charting political doctrines, underscoring their historical status. Since being founded in 1921, the CCP has amended its constitution at each party congress, reflecting the changes in its direction. There are nearly 100 million members of the CCP, and yet there is very little knowledge as to how its top leadership operates. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

China’s Xi all set to usurp Mao-era ‘Chairman’ post at upcoming party congress: Report

As per the former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger, China may 'recalibrate' ties with Russia. International strategist, Andrew Leung, brings you more perspective.

Xi Jinping may recalibrate after miscalculation of siding with Russia, says Henry Kissinger

The ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) will hold its twice-a-decade congress beginning October 16 with President Xi Jinping primed to secure an unprecedented third term as the country’s leader.

The 20th Community Party Congress: What to expect from the upcoming CPC meet?

Much of what happens in China remains beyond the sight of the rest of the world. However, it comes as no surprise that the Asian power is facing multiple challenges. In the latest, Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned the Communist Party to prepare for great struggles ahead.

China: President Xi Jinping warns of great struggles ahead for the CPC

China marks Martyrs' Day to remember its revolutionary martyrs and those who sacrificed their lives for national causes. President Xi Jinping and senior officials laid flowers and paid tribute at the Monument to the People's Heroes at Tiananmen Square.

China marks Martyrs' Day: President Xi Jinping leads tributes to fallen heroes

Chinese President Xi Jinping has reappeared after a gap of 11 days. Priyanka Sharma tells you how the Chinese President's tour of an exhibition quashed all unfounded rumours of a coup.

Gravitas: Xi Jinping's power move to dismiss rumours

<p>News agency Reuters on Thursday (September 29) reported that China is stepping up efforts to stem the yuan's descent.&nbsp;Citing four sources with knowledge of the matter, it reported that China's central bank has asked major state-owned banks to be prepared to sell dollars for the local unit in offshore markets.</p>

<p>In order to review their holdings of the offshore yuan, state banks were told to ask their offshore branches. The Chinese currency looks set for its biggest annual loss since 1994 as it has lost more than 11 per cent to the dollar so far this year.</p>

<p>Raising concerns about domestic sentiment and potential capital outflows, the yuan's depreciation has been gradual and in line with the decline in major currencies against a dollar buoyed by aggressive Federal Reserve monetary tightening.</p>

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<p>Dwarfing the volumes traded on the mainland, the offshore yuan moves in lock-step with the onshore unit, but its trading volumes account for about 70 per cent of all yuan trades globally.</p>

<p>Although the total amount of dollar selling is yet to be determined, sources said the intervention plan involved using state lenders' dollar reserves primarily.</p>

<p>As the yuan's movements are largely dependent on dollar moves and the Fed's tightening trajectory, Chinese authorities have intervened in the past in the offshore yuan market to steer the yuan.</p>

<p>After a one-off 2 per cent devaluation in 2015 that roiled global financial markets, China burnt through $1 trillion of its official forex reserves to prop up the currency.</p>

<p>Through persistently setting firmer-than-expected mid-point fixings, the latest proposal follows other steps authorities have taken to put a floor under the yuan.</p>

<p>By increasing the cost of shorting the currency by lowering the amount of foreign exchange financial institutions to reinstating risk-reserve requirements on currencies purchased through forwards, the People's Bank of China has also rolled out policy measures this month.</p>

<p>While they sought to steer and defend the weakening currency, Chinese monetary authorities told local banks to revive a yuan fixing tool it abandoned two years ago.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>Watch WION's live TV here:</strong></p>

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News agency Reuters on Thursday (September 29) reported that China is stepping up efforts to stem the yuan's descent. Citing four sources with knowledge of the matter, it reported that China's central bank has asked major state-owned banks to be prepared to sell dollars for the local unit in offshore markets.

News agency Reuters on Thursday (September 29) reported that China is stepping up efforts to stem the yuan's descent. Citing four sources with knowledge of the matter, it reported that China's central bank has asked major state-owned banks to be prepared to sell dollars for the local unit in offshore markets. In order to review their holdings of the offshore yuan, state banks were told to ask their offshore branches. The Chinese currency looks set for its biggest annual loss since 1994 as it has lost more than 11 per cent to the dollar so far this year. Raising concerns about domestic sentiment and potential capital outflows, the yuan's depreciation has been gradual and in line with the decline in major currencies against a dollar buoyed by aggressive Federal Reserve monetary tightening. × Dwarfing the volumes traded on the mainland, the offshore yuan moves in lock-step with the onshore unit, but its trading volumes account for about 70 per cent of all yuan trades globally. Although the total amount of dollar selling is yet to be determined, sources said the intervention plan involved using state lenders' dollar reserves primarily. As the yuan's movements are largely dependent on dollar moves and the Fed's tightening trajectory, Chinese authorities have intervened in the past in the offshore yuan market to steer the yuan. After a one-off 2 per cent devaluation in 2015 that roiled global financial markets, China burnt through $1 trillion of its official forex reserves to prop up the currency. Through persistently setting firmer-than-expected mid-point fixings, the latest proposal follows other steps authorities have taken to put a floor under the yuan. By increasing the cost of shorting the currency by lowering the amount of foreign exchange financial institutions to reinstating risk-reserve requirements on currencies purchased through forwards, the People's Bank of China has also rolled out policy measures this month. While they sought to steer and defend the weakening currency, Chinese monetary authorities told local banks to revive a yuan fixing tool it abandoned two years ago. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

China stepping up efforts to stem the yuan's descent: Report

Chinese president Xi Jinping reappeared on state television on Tuesday after several days of absence from public view, that its sparked rumors about his political circumstances. Jingping's appearance comes 11 days after returning from the Shanghai Corporation organization summit.

Chinese president Xi Jinping appears in public for the first time since SCO summit

<p>After days of speculations and media theories of a coup, Chinese President Xi Jinping finally stepped out in public. This was his first outing since the SCO summit in Uzbekistan. In other news,&nbsp;European leaders have launched an investigation into the explosions near the Nord Stream pipelines which resulted in major leaks into the Baltic Sea yesterday.</p>

<p><strong>Click on headlines to read more:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-appears-in-public-for-first-time-since-sco-summit-amid-rumours-520401"><strong>Xi Jinping appears in public for first time since SCO Summit amid rumours</strong></a></p>

<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first public appearance since returning from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Samarkand when he visited an exhibition of the Communist Party on Tuesday. Xi’s absence sparked a number of rumours in the past few days with few media reports suggesting that he was removed as the&nbsp;chief of China’s People’s Liberation Army.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/09/28/299435-00032jh4jg.jpg" /></p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nord-stream-leaks-european-leaders-launch-investigation-into-sabotage-520391">Nord Stream leaks: European leaders launch investigation into 'sabotage'</a></strong></p>

<p>European leaders have launched an investigation into the explosions near the Nord Stream pipelines which resulted in major leaks into the Baltic Sea. They believed that sabotage was the reason behind the leaks as the major pipelines transporting natural gas from Russia to Europe were majorly impacted.</p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/09/28/299428-00032k88au.jpg" /></p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-announces-huge-majorities-have-voted-in-favour-of-joining-russia-520387">Kremlin announces huge majorities have voted in favour of joining Russia</a></strong></p>

<p>Russian-installed officials in occupied regions of Ukraine claimed that residents of a large swath overwhelmingly voted in favour of joining Russia in the so-called referendums that Kyiv and the West denounced as a sham.</p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/09/28/299423-2022-09-28t014426z2lynxmpei8q0uortroptp4ukraine-crisis-referendums-crimea.JPG" /></p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/liz-truss-and-kwasi-kwarteng-argue-over-response-on-uk-economic-crisis-report-520396">Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng argue over response to UK economic crisis: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>It has been a tough week for newly elected British Prime Minister Liz Truss as her economic policies have come under severe criticism. Following up on campaign promises, finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng announced massive tax cuts in the mini-budget earlier this week but that was followed by the pound reaching an all-time low against the US dollar and the country facing a more acute economic crisis.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/09/28/299432-00032jy7pn.jpg" /></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/jaishankar-blinken-meet-us-state-secy-blinken-praises-indian-pm-modis-stance-on-ukraine-war-520347"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Jaishankar-Blinken meet: US State Secy Blinken praises Indian PM Modi's stance on Ukraine war</strong></a></p>

<p>US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in Washington praised PM Narendra Modi’s remark on the Ukraine war during the recent SCO summit.</p>

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After days of speculations and media theories of a coup, Chinese President Xi Jinping finally stepped out in public. This was his first outing since the SCO summit in Uzbekistan.

After days of speculations and media theories of a coup, Chinese President Xi Jinping finally stepped out in public. This was his first outing since the SCO summit in Uzbekistan. In other news, European leaders have launched an investigation into the explosions near the Nord Stream pipelines which resulted in major leaks into the Baltic Sea yesterday. Click on headlines to read more: Xi Jinping appears in public for first time since SCO Summit amid rumours Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first public appearance since returning from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Samarkand when he visited an exhibition of the Communist Party on Tuesday. Xi’s absence sparked a number of rumours in the past few days with few media reports suggesting that he was removed as the chief of China’s People’s Liberation Army. Nord Stream leaks: European leaders launch investigation into 'sabotage' European leaders have launched an investigation into the explosions near the Nord Stream pipelines which resulted in major leaks into the Baltic Sea. They believed that sabotage was the reason behind the leaks as the major pipelines transporting natural gas from Russia to Europe were majorly impacted. Kremlin announces huge majorities have voted in favour of joining Russia Russian-installed officials in occupied regions of Ukraine claimed that residents of a large swath overwhelmingly voted in favour of joining Russia in the so-called referendums that Kyiv and the West denounced as a sham. Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng argue over response to UK economic crisis: Report It has been a tough week for newly elected British Prime Minister Liz Truss as her economic policies have come under severe criticism. Following up on campaign promises, finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng announced massive tax cuts in the mini-budget earlier this week but that was followed by the pound reaching an all-time low against the US dollar and the country facing a more acute economic crisis. WATCH | Jaishankar-Blinken meet: US State Secy Blinken praises Indian PM Modi's stance on Ukraine war US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in Washington praised PM Narendra Modi’s remark on the Ukraine war during the recent SCO summit. ×

Morning news brief: Xi returns to public light, Europe launches Nord Stream 1 investigation & more

Chinese Prez Xi Jinping appears in public for the first time since SCO summit

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{2c3f6989-0c77-4235-a30e-2e338fb3c46b}{11}" paraid="1365852781" >Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first public appearance on Tuesday since returning from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Samarkand when he visited an exhibition of the Communist Party. Xi’s absence sparked a number of rumours in the past few days with few media reports suggesting that he was removed as the chief of China’s People’s Liberation Army. &nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{234841d8-c107-43e2-a572-e12c270a2611}{211}" paraid="79004393" >According to observers, Xi was not seen in public as he was going through a mandatory seven-day quarantine and a three-day home stay following his foreign visit. This is the common procedure followed in accordance with the Dynamic Zero Covid policy which was implemented by President Xi himself.</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{234841d8-c107-43e2-a572-e12c270a2611}{211}" paraid="79004393" >Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nord-stream-leaks-european-leaders-launch-investigation-into-sabotage-520391">Nord Stream leaks: European leaders launch investigation into 'sabotage'</a></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{234841d8-c107-43e2-a572-e12c270a2611}{225}" paraid="254507226" >Xi had followed the similar protocol after returning from Hong Kong in July earlier this year. &nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{f8932ad0-31c7-4c5f-946b-71f87f7499fe}{229}" paraid="377721762" >China's zero-Covid policy included several lockdowns and strict regulations with the goal of controlling the pandemic. However, the measures have also attracted a lot of criticism from different parts of the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{234841d8-c107-43e2-a572-e12c270a2611}{239}" paraid="682037841" >The Xinhua news agency reported that the exhibition in Beijing showcased the achievements of the Communist Party of China over the past decade. Xi also reportedly spoke at the venue and called for “efforts to forge ahead determinedly toward a new victory of socialism with Chinese characteristics”. &nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{234841d8-c107-43e2-a572-e12c270a2611}{239}" paraid="682037841" ><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Chinese president Xi Jinping appears in public for the first time since SCO summit</strong></p>

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<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{234841d8-c107-43e2-a572-e12c270a2611}{239}" paraid="682037841" >"The Party and the State have made historic achievements and undergone historic changes, providing a more perfect system, a more solid material foundation and more active spiritual power to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," he said according to media reports. &nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{f8932ad0-31c7-4c5f-946b-71f87f7499fe}{12}" paraid="1701551641" >"We should widely publicise the strategic initiatives, transformative practices, breakthroughs and landmark achievements over the past 10 years, and the milestone significance of the great changes in the last decade in the history of the Party, the history of a new China," he added.&nbsp;</p>

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Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first public appearance on Tuesday since returning from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Samarkand when he visited an exhibition of the Communist Party.

Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first public appearance on Tuesday since returning from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Samarkand when he visited an exhibition of the Communist Party. Xi’s absence sparked a number of rumours in the past few days with few media reports suggesting that he was removed as the chief of China’s People’s Liberation Army. According to observers, Xi was not seen in public as he was going through a mandatory seven-day quarantine and a three-day home stay following his foreign visit. This is the common procedure followed in accordance with the Dynamic Zero Covid policy which was implemented by President Xi himself. Also read | Nord Stream leaks: European leaders launch investigation into 'sabotage' Xi had followed the similar protocol after returning from Hong Kong in July earlier this year. China's zero-Covid policy included several lockdowns and strict regulations with the goal of controlling the pandemic. However, the measures have also attracted a lot of criticism from different parts of the country. The Xinhua news agency reported that the exhibition in Beijing showcased the achievements of the Communist Party of China over the past decade. Xi also reportedly spoke at the venue and called for “efforts to forge ahead determinedly toward a new victory of socialism with Chinese characteristics”. WATCH | Chinese president Xi Jinping appears in public for the first time since SCO summit "The Party and the State have made historic achievements and undergone historic changes, providing a more perfect system, a more solid material foundation and more active spiritual power to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," he said according to media reports. "We should widely publicise the strategic initiatives, transformative practices, breakthroughs and landmark achievements over the past 10 years, and the milestone significance of the great changes in the last decade in the history of the Party, the history of a new China," he added.

China's President Xi Jinping appears in public for first time since SCO Summit

Ahead of its 20th Party Congress, China's Communist Party has released a list of delegates who will attend the event next month. Multiple former police officials have also been put behind bars. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Preparations begin for Xi Jinping's coronation

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<p>Social media rumours from multiple sources claiming an attempt of a military coup in China and President Xi Jinping being under house arrest went viral in the past couple of days. The shocking, but unverified,&nbsp;claims tried to paint a chaotic picture of China and a dramatic shift in politics, which was a farce.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As WION dissected the viral news, it appears that those were just baseless claims shared by unverified social media handles and no concrete pieces of evidence were provided. It is most likely a meal cooked on Twitter and served with extra salt and pepper by the Twitterati with the hashtag #ChinaCoup trending on Twitter heavily.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The claims created a buzz on social media after some top news channels, including in India, carried it as "exclusive news". But, the rumour mill has now stopped ahead of a key meeting of China's ruling Communist party next month, when Xi is expected to be granted an unprecedented third term.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reports have mentioned that Xi is expected to be re-appointed as leader of the party and military commission at the once-in-five-years meeting. The list of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) central committee delegates for the party congress was announced by state media on Sunday.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>When did it start?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The rumours started just a couple of days after senior security officials were jailed for corruption in China. Former vice-minister of public security Sun Lijun, former justice minister Fu Zhenghua, and former police chiefs of Shanghai, Chongqing and Shanxi were sent to prison&nbsp;by Chinese courts on corruption charges last week.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>How did it start?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>It started when unfounded claims accompanied by videos of military vehicles - without attributing sources - were circulated on social media. Some shared videos claiming them to be the actual footage of military vehicles moving to Beijing, which came after the so-called "grounding of 59 per cent of the flights in the country and the jailings of senior officials". It showcased a coup-like situation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A Twitter user with an account identified as New Highland Vision wrote that former Chinese president Hu Jintao and former premier Wen Jiabao persuaded Song Ping, the former member of the Politburo Standing Committee, to take the control of the Central Guard Bureau (CGB) from Xi. The tweet was posted on 22 September. The account has over 20,000 followers.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today in Beijing, I investigated the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/chinacoup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#chinacoup</a> so you don’t have to. At considerable personal risk, I ventured out to some neuralgic key points in the city. Disturbing finds. Brace yourselves. /1 <a href="https://t.co/z4CJYpQbbk">pic.twitter.com/z4CJYpQbbk</a></p>
— Georg Fahrion (@schorselysees) <a href="https://twitter.com/schorselysees/status/1573949280234008576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nearby Tian’anmen Square swarms with thugs in plainclothes. I’ve been in China long enough to know these are not tourists. /3 <a href="https://t.co/xTwglk4v8i">pic.twitter.com/xTwglk4v8i</a></p>
— Georg Fahrion (@schorselysees) <a href="https://twitter.com/schorselysees/status/1573949307316600832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Second Ring Road close to the Foreign Ministry.<br />
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One of Beijing’s main thoroughfares, it has been closed off to civilian traffic. A column of military vehicles stretches about 80 kilometers from here to some place in Hebei. /5 <a href="https://t.co/eCIjUIalNS">pic.twitter.com/eCIjUIalNS</a></p>
— Georg Fahrion (@schorselysees) <a href="https://twitter.com/schorselysees/status/1573949338987900928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This video of military vehicles moving to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Beijing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Beijing</a> comes immediately after the grounding of 59% of the flights in the country and the jailings of senior officials. There’s a lot of smoke, which means there is a fire somewhere inside the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CCP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CCP</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a> is unstable. <a href="https://t.co/hSUS3210GR">https://t.co/hSUS3210GR</a></p>
— Gordon G. Chang (@GordonGChang) <a href="https://twitter.com/GordonGChang/status/1573481779163447297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Of direct concern to us here in India. Many Flights to Lhasa Gonggar are also being cancelled. We have to see if there is an uptick in military air traffic over the Tibetan plateau or not. # XiJinping <a href="https://t.co/xFvJDL6xhp">pic.twitter.com/xFvJDL6xhp</a></p>
— Saurav Jha (@SJha1618) <a href="https://twitter.com/SJha1618/status/1573568343436496896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>The rumours were fueled further when some claimed that a few flights in and out of Beijing were said to be cancelled as were some trains and buses.</p>

<p>On China's social media, there was no specific mention of the coup rumours.&nbsp;However, a Weibo hashtag related to "airports across the country cancel flights" was viewed by more than 200,000 people over the weekend.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, flights were canceled when there were rise in Coivd cases in the country.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nearly 60% of flights were canceled across <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a> yesterday (Sep 21). No reasons were offered.<br />
As of 22:35 on September 21, 16,062 flights were planned for the day, and 9,583 flights were canceled. <a href="https://t.co/jUrbJh4Jum">pic.twitter.com/jUrbJh4Jum</a></p>
— Jennifer Zeng 曾錚 (@jenniferzeng97) <a href="https://twitter.com/jenniferzeng97/status/1572978679692533762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>What's the truth?</strong></p>

<p>Drew Thompson, who is a scholar with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, said a coup in China wasn't entirely implausible. Thompson mentioned that Xi had reportedly shown concern about the prospect in the past, but the weekend's rumours looked more like "wishful thinking".&nbsp;</p>

<p>They appeared to originate in accounts associated with the Falun Gong movement, which Thompson said was "essentially not credible".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The rumour that Xi Jinping has been arrested has legs because it is such a sensitive political moment in China, and the recent trials (and convictions) of long-serving senior officials creates a hothouse atmosphere," he said on Twitter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Other analysts like Sinocism author, Bill Bishop, said he thought the rumours were "BS" but the "inherent opacity" of the CCP mechanisms easily fuelled their spread.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I don’t follow “Zhao Lanjian” on Twitter, and when I looked for his account, I could not find it.<br />
<br />
Falungong media is amplifying the rumor which makes it suspect too.<br />
<br />
Zhao has written several articles for New Tang Dynasty TV, which is a Falungong outlet.</p>
— Drew Thompson 唐安竹 (@TangAnZhu) <a href="https://twitter.com/TangAnZhu/status/1573459299770454016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The claimed source of the information is an “investigative journalist” named Zhao Lanjian who tweeted that 60% of China’s flights have been cancelled, which is an indication of a coup.<a href="https://twitter.com/ELuttwak?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ELuttwak</a> might agree that flight cancellations are not the opening phase of a coup.</p>
— Drew Thompson 唐安竹 (@TangAnZhu) <a href="https://twitter.com/TangAnZhu/status/1573459297102888960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The rumor that Xi Jinping has been arrested has legs because it is such a sensitive political moment in China, and the recent trials (and convictions) of long-serving senior officials creates a hothouse atmosphere.</p>
— Drew Thompson 唐安竹 (@TangAnZhu) <a href="https://twitter.com/TangAnZhu/status/1573459302479990785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Xi's absence fuelled rumours</strong></p>

<p>The Chinese president has been absent from the public eye since he returned to China from the SCO Summit in Uzbekistan. Some say he might be quarantined, considering the dire Covid situation in China. It surely doesn't mean there's a military coup.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I think the fact this rumour spread so far, and was considered plausible enough to analyse is really a reflection of an underlying shortcoming of Chinese governance," said Thompson.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Role of social media&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>It also leads to one question whether or not the public should believe what social media has to offer. &nbsp;As in this case, the rumours related to the "China coup" could have led to national security issues and a state of chaos and disorder.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The role of social media has also been questioned in the case as the rumours were circulating for several days and the misleading tweets are still live. What are tech giants doing to curb the spread of this fake news?&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Social media rumours from multiple sources claiming an attempt of a military coup in China and President Xi Jinping being under house arrest went viral in the past couple of days.

Social media rumours from multiple sources claiming an attempt of a military coup in China and President Xi Jinping being under house arrest went viral in the past couple of days. The shocking, but unverified, claims tried to paint a chaotic picture of China and a dramatic shift in politics, which was a farce. As WION dissected the viral news, it appears that those were just baseless claims shared by unverified social media handles and no concrete pieces of evidence were provided. It is most likely a meal cooked on Twitter and served with extra salt and pepper by the Twitterati with the hashtag #ChinaCoup trending on Twitter heavily. The claims created a buzz on social media after some top news channels, including in India, carried it as "exclusive news". But, the rumour mill has now stopped ahead of a key meeting of China's ruling Communist party next month, when Xi is expected to be granted an unprecedented third term. Reports have mentioned that Xi is expected to be re-appointed as leader of the party and military commission at the once-in-five-years meeting. The list of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) central committee delegates for the party congress was announced by state media on Sunday. When did it start? The rumours started just a couple of days after senior security officials were jailed for corruption in China. Former vice-minister of public security Sun Lijun, former justice minister Fu Zhenghua, and former police chiefs of Shanghai, Chongqing and Shanxi were sent to prison by Chinese courts on corruption charges last week. How did it start? It started when unfounded claims accompanied by videos of military vehicles - without attributing sources - were circulated on social media. Some shared videos claiming them to be the actual footage of military vehicles moving to Beijing, which came after the so-called "grounding of 59 per cent of the flights in the country and the jailings of senior officials". It showcased a coup-like situation. A Twitter user with an account identified as New Highland Vision wrote that former Chinese president Hu Jintao and former premier Wen Jiabao persuaded Song Ping, the former member of the Politburo Standing Committee, to take the control of the Central Guard Bureau (CGB) from Xi. The tweet was posted on 22 September. The account has over 20,000 followers. Today in Beijing, I investigated the #chinacoup so you don’t have to. At considerable personal risk, I ventured out to some neuralgic key points in the city. Disturbing finds. Brace yourselves. /1 pic.twitter.com/z4CJYpQbbk — Georg Fahrion (@schorselysees) September 25, 2022 × Nearby Tian’anmen Square swarms with thugs in plainclothes. I’ve been in China long enough to know these are not tourists. /3 pic.twitter.com/xTwglk4v8i — Georg Fahrion (@schorselysees) September 25, 2022 × The Second Ring Road close to the Foreign Ministry. One of Beijing’s main thoroughfares, it has been closed off to civilian traffic. A column of military vehicles stretches about 80 kilometers from here to some place in Hebei. /5 pic.twitter.com/eCIjUIalNS — Georg Fahrion (@schorselysees) September 25, 2022 × This video of military vehicles moving to #Beijing comes immediately after the grounding of 59% of the flights in the country and the jailings of senior officials. There’s a lot of smoke, which means there is a fire somewhere inside the #CCP. #China is unstable. https://t.co/hSUS3210GR — Gordon G. Chang (@GordonGChang) September 24, 2022 × Of direct concern to us here in India. Many Flights to Lhasa Gonggar are also being cancelled. We have to see if there is an uptick in military air traffic over the Tibetan plateau or not. # XiJinping pic.twitter.com/xFvJDL6xhp — Saurav Jha (@SJha1618) September 24, 2022 × The rumours were fueled further when some claimed that a few flights in and out of Beijing were said to be cancelled as were some trains and buses. On China's social media, there was no specific mention of the coup rumours. However, a Weibo hashtag related to "airports across the country cancel flights" was viewed by more than 200,000 people over the weekend. Notably, flights were canceled when there were rise in Coivd cases in the country. Nearly 60% of flights were canceled across #China yesterday (Sep 21). No reasons were offered. As of 22:35 on September 21, 16,062 flights were planned for the day, and 9,583 flights were canceled. pic.twitter.com/jUrbJh4Jum — Jennifer Zeng 曾錚 (@jenniferzeng97) September 22, 2022 × What's the truth? Drew Thompson, who is a scholar with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, said a coup in China wasn't entirely implausible. Thompson mentioned that Xi had reportedly shown concern about the prospect in the past, but the weekend's rumours looked more like "wishful thinking". They appeared to originate in accounts associated with the Falun Gong movement, which Thompson said was "essentially not credible". "The rumour that Xi Jinping has been arrested has legs because it is such a sensitive political moment in China, and the recent trials (and convictions) of long-serving senior officials creates a hothouse atmosphere," he said on Twitter. Other analysts like Sinocism author, Bill Bishop, said he thought the rumours were "BS" but the "inherent opacity" of the CCP mechanisms easily fuelled their spread. I don’t follow “Zhao Lanjian” on Twitter, and when I looked for his account, I could not find it. Falungong media is amplifying the rumor which makes it suspect too. Zhao has written several articles for New Tang Dynasty TV, which is a Falungong outlet. — Drew Thompson 唐安竹 (@TangAnZhu) September 23, 2022 × The claimed source of the information is an “investigative journalist” named Zhao Lanjian who tweeted that 60% of China’s flights have been cancelled, which is an indication of a coup.@ELuttwak might agree that flight cancellations are not the opening phase of a coup. — Drew Thompson 唐安竹 (@TangAnZhu) September 23, 2022 × The rumor that Xi Jinping has been arrested has legs because it is such a sensitive political moment in China, and the recent trials (and convictions) of long-serving senior officials creates a hothouse atmosphere. — Drew Thompson 唐安竹 (@TangAnZhu) September 23, 2022 × Xi's absence fuelled rumours The Chinese president has been absent from the public eye since he returned to China from the SCO Summit in Uzbekistan. Some say he might be quarantined, considering the dire Covid situation in China. It surely doesn't mean there's a military coup. "I think the fact this rumour spread so far, and was considered plausible enough to analyse is really a reflection of an underlying shortcoming of Chinese governance," said Thompson. Role of social media It also leads to one question whether or not the public should believe what social media has to offer. As in this case, the rumours related to the "China coup" could have led to national security issues and a state of chaos and disorder. The role of social media has also been questioned in the case as the rumours were circulating for several days and the misleading tweets are still live. What are tech giants doing to curb the spread of this fake news? WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

The truth behind 'China coup' and Xi Jinping being 'under house arrest'. Did social media cross the line?

<p>Ahead of a key political meeting starting October 16, China's Communist Party said Sunday that it had elected all the delegates.&nbsp;China's Communist Party's 20th five-yearly party congress will be a landmark meeting at which President Xi Jinping is expected to be anointed as the country's most powerful leader in decades.</p>

<p>While President Xi Jinping is expected to secure an unprecedented third term in the meeting, the 25-member Politburo can&nbsp;see a shuffle of personnel.</p>

<p>Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that the elected 2,296 delegates must adhere to Xi's political ideology in addition to the party constitution.</p>

<p>Amid a strict zero-Covid policy that has accelerated China's inward turn from the world and deteriorating relations with the United States, Xi is facing significant political headwinds.</p>

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<p>Offering signposts on the direction of the world's second-largest economy, the congress is the most important date on China's political calendar.</p>

<p>Following a highly choreographed exercise to pick members of the party's Central Committee of around 200 members, the Central Committee will then vote for the 25-person Politburo and its all-powerful Standing Committee.</p>

<p>Crushing a democracy movement in Hong Kong and strict lockdowns on cities in the name of curbing the coronavirus, analysts believe that Xi's decade-long tenure has served to take down his political rivals.</p>

<p>Xi has faced harsh human rights criticism from the international community over the repressive policies in the northwestern Xinjiang region and the "Wolf Warrior" foreign strategy.</p>

<p>Leaving open the possibility of him becoming the leader for life, Xi abolished the presidential two-term limit in 2018 claiming that he wanted to prevent another Mao-like dictatorship.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Ahead of a key political meeting starting October 16, China's Communist Party said Sunday that it had elected all the delegates. China's Communist Party's 20th five-yearly party congress will be a landmark meeting at which President Xi Jinping is expected to be anointed as the country's most powerful leader in decades.

Ahead of a key political meeting starting October 16, China's Communist Party said Sunday that it had elected all the delegates. China's Communist Party's 20th five-yearly party congress will be a landmark meeting at which President Xi Jinping is expected to be anointed as the country's most powerful leader in decades. While President Xi Jinping is expected to secure an unprecedented third term in the meeting, the 25-member Politburo can see a shuffle of personnel. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that the elected 2,296 delegates must adhere to Xi's political ideology in addition to the party constitution. Amid a strict zero-Covid policy that has accelerated China's inward turn from the world and deteriorating relations with the United States, Xi is facing significant political headwinds. × Offering signposts on the direction of the world's second-largest economy, the congress is the most important date on China's political calendar. Following a highly choreographed exercise to pick members of the party's Central Committee of around 200 members, the Central Committee will then vote for the 25-person Politburo and its all-powerful Standing Committee. Crushing a democracy movement in Hong Kong and strict lockdowns on cities in the name of curbing the coronavirus, analysts believe that Xi's decade-long tenure has served to take down his political rivals. Xi has faced harsh human rights criticism from the international community over the repressive policies in the northwestern Xinjiang region and the "Wolf Warrior" foreign strategy. Leaving open the possibility of him becoming the leader for life, Xi abolished the presidential two-term limit in 2018 claiming that he wanted to prevent another Mao-like dictatorship. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Chinese Communist Party elects 2,296 delegates for key five-yearly congress

<p>Chinese state media reported on Thursday that former justice minister Fu Zhenghua has been sentenced to death.</p>

<p>Accused of taking bribes and “bending the law for personal gains”, the 67-year-old spearheaded high-profile graft probes during his tenure.</p>

<p>Xinhua news agency also reported that Fu was also been part of a "political gang" of Sun Lijun who himself colluded with some top law enforcement officials with the aim of personal enrichment.</p>

<p>Indicating President Xi Jinping’s continued focus on “taking out the tigers” of corruption, Fu’s indictment comes weeks ahead of the all-important Communist Party of China (CPC) congress in October.</p>

<p>Fu Zhenghua, who was in charge of a high-profile corruption investigation into Zhou Yongkang, had also served as the head of the Beijing municipal public security bureau.</p>

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<p>According to prosecutors, “During his tenure at the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, Fu purposefully shielded his brother, who had severely breached the law, from criminal prosecution.”</p>

<p>With no possibility of parole, he was handed a suspended death sentence that will be commuted to life imprisonment after two years.</p>

<p>Accepting bribes exceeding 117 million yuan ($16.50 million), Fu was deputy head of the Ministry of Public Security before becoming justice minister in 2018.</p>

<p>As a part of the anti-graft campaign, Zhou received a life sentence in jail for corruption in 2015 even though he was China’s top security official and retired as a member of the Communist party’s politburo standing committee.</p>

<p>When he took over as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, Xi had identified “corruption” as one of the primary “pressing issues” China faced.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Chinese state media reported on Thursday that former justice minister Fu Zhenghua has been sentenced to death. Accused of taking bribes and “bending the law for personal gains”, the 67-year-old spearheaded high-profile graft probes during his tenure.

Chinese state media reported on Thursday that former justice minister Fu Zhenghua has been sentenced to death. Accused of taking bribes and “bending the law for personal gains”, the 67-year-old spearheaded high-profile graft probes during his tenure. Xinhua news agency also reported that Fu was also been part of a "political gang" of Sun Lijun who himself colluded with some top law enforcement officials with the aim of personal enrichment. Indicating President Xi Jinping’s continued focus on “taking out the tigers” of corruption, Fu’s indictment comes weeks ahead of the all-important Communist Party of China (CPC) congress in October. Fu Zhenghua, who was in charge of a high-profile corruption investigation into Zhou Yongkang, had also served as the head of the Beijing municipal public security bureau. × According to prosecutors, “During his tenure at the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, Fu purposefully shielded his brother, who had severely breached the law, from criminal prosecution.” With no possibility of parole, he was handed a suspended death sentence that will be commuted to life imprisonment after two years. Accepting bribes exceeding 117 million yuan ($16.50 million), Fu was deputy head of the Ministry of Public Security before becoming justice minister in 2018. As a part of the anti-graft campaign, Zhou received a life sentence in jail for corruption in 2015 even though he was China’s top security official and retired as a member of the Communist party’s politburo standing committee. When he took over as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, Xi had identified “corruption” as one of the primary “pressing issues” China faced. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

'Bended the law for personal gains': Former Chinese justice minister Fu Zhenghua sentenced to death

<p>US President Joe Biden warns&nbsp;Chinese President Xi Jinping that if he goes against sanctions imposed against Russia, over its invasion, it will damage the investment climate. In other news, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that the counter-offensive by Ukraine against Russia will not stop and claimed that its forces are reclaiming its cities from Moscow. Meanwhile, in the Chinese province of Guizhou, a bus taking passengers to a COVID-19 quarantine facility crashed on Sunday, killing 27 people. Finally, US president Joe Biden in an interview recently stated the Covid pandemic in the country has ended.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Click on the headlines to read more:</strong></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-warned-of-investor-fallout-by-joe-biden-if-china-backs-russias-war-517490"><strong>Biden warns Jinping, says US forces would help defend Taiwan against China</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/09/19/296911-00032jg9gu.jpg" /></p>

<p>Although there is no indication that China has actively supported the Russian war effort with weapons sales, Biden said he told Xi that violating the sanctions would be a "gigantic mistake."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-let-up-in-taking-back-ukrainian-towns-volodymyr-zelensky-517507"><strong>No let-up in taking back Ukrainian towns from Russian forces: Volodymyr Zelensky</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/09/19/296905-untitled-design-19.png" /></p>

<p>During his nightly address, he said “Maybe now it seems to some of you that after a series of victories we have a certain lull but its preparation for the next series... because Ukraine must be free — all of it.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/27-dead-in-china-after-bus-taking-people-to-covid-19-quarantine-facility-crashes-517528"><strong>27 dead in China after bus taking people to COVID-19 quarantine facility crashes</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/09/19/296916-bus-accident-kills-27-after-overturning-in-rural-chinas-guizhou.jpg" /></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{a648d73c-8343-4de9-a78f-1bfee3631313}{93}" paraid="524270523" >The Chinese authorities confirmed that the accident occurred around 2:40 AM local time and the bus was “transporting people linked to the epidemic to quarantine” from the provincial capital of Guiyang.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-biden-says-covid-19-pandemic-in-us-is-over-517520"><strong>President Biden says COVID-19 pandemic in US 'is over'</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/08/25/290406-biden-student-loans-6.jpg" /></p>

<p>"The pandemic is over. We still have a problem with Covid. We're still doing a lot of work on it..., but the pandemic is over," Biden told CBS news programme&nbsp;"60 Minutes" in an interview taped as he walked the floor of the Detroit Auto Show last week.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Hurricane Fiona hits Puerto Rico; threatens to cause landslides</strong></p>

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US President Joe Biden warns Chinese President Xi Jinping that if he goes against sanctions imposed against Russia, over its invasion, it will damage the investment climate.

US President Joe Biden warns Chinese President Xi Jinping that if he goes against sanctions imposed against Russia, over its invasion, it will damage the investment climate. In other news, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that the counter-offensive by Ukraine against Russia will not stop and claimed that its forces are reclaiming its cities from Moscow. Meanwhile, in the Chinese province of Guizhou, a bus taking passengers to a COVID-19 quarantine facility crashed on Sunday, killing 27 people. Finally, US president Joe Biden in an interview recently stated the Covid pandemic in the country has ended. Click on the headlines to read more: Biden warns Jinping, says US forces would help defend Taiwan against China Although there is no indication that China has actively supported the Russian war effort with weapons sales, Biden said he told Xi that violating the sanctions would be a "gigantic mistake." No let-up in taking back Ukrainian towns from Russian forces: Volodymyr Zelensky During his nightly address, he said “Maybe now it seems to some of you that after a series of victories we have a certain lull but its preparation for the next series... because Ukraine must be free — all of it.” 27 dead in China after bus taking people to COVID-19 quarantine facility crashes The Chinese authorities confirmed that the accident occurred around 2:40 AM local time and the bus was “transporting people linked to the epidemic to quarantine” from the provincial capital of Guiyang. President Biden says COVID-19 pandemic in US 'is over' "The pandemic is over. We still have a problem with Covid. We're still doing a lot of work on it..., but the pandemic is over," Biden told CBS news programme "60 Minutes" in an interview taped as he walked the floor of the Detroit Auto Show last week. Watch | Hurricane Fiona hits Puerto Rico; threatens to cause landslides

Morning news brief: Joe Biden warns Xi Jinping, 27 dead in China in bus crash, and more

<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping has received a warning from US President Joe Biden. According to the American leader, if Beijing violates sanctions imposed by a coalition of countries against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, it will damage the investment climate.</p>

<p>When asked if American forces&nbsp;would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, Biden gave an&nbsp;affirmative answer.</p>

<p>Although there is no indication that China has actively supported the Russian war effort with weapons sales, Biden said he told Xi that violating the sanctions would be a "gigantic mistake."</p>

<p>During an interview with CBS, Biden said he delivered the warning in a phone call shortly after Xi met with Putin at the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 4.</p>

<p>"I called President Xi -- not to threaten at all, just to say to him... that if you think Americans and others will continue to invest in China, based on your violating the sanctions that have been imposed on Russia, I think you're making a gigantic mistake," CBS quoted Biden as saying.</p>

<p>"Thus far, there's no indication they put forward weapons or other things that Russia has wanted," he added.</p>

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<p>Dismissing the notion that the Chinese-Russian alliance effectively means the United States is fighting a new kind of Cold War, Biden requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to forgo the use of nuclear weapons in the wake of setbacks in Ukraine.</p>

<p>Despite&nbsp;previously having stated he will run again, Biden said that he has yet to decide whether he will seek a second term in 2024.</p>

<p>Putting Putin under pressure from nationalists at home to regain the initiative, Ukraine's military drove back Russian forces in a lightning rout in the northeast of the country this week.</p>

<p>Resulting in the ongoing devastation of cities and towns across much of the country, Russia invaded its pro-Western neighbour Ukraine on February 24.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-report-points-out-glaring-weakness-shared-by-chinese-and-russian-militaries-517351" hreflang="en">US report points out glaring weakness shared by Chinese and Russian militaries</a></strong></p>

<p>While their alliance is unequal and its future far from clear, Xi and Putin have talked up the Beijing-Moscow relationship as the new centre of a multipolar world.</p>

<p>Beijing has every claim to be the senior partner in an unbalanced relationship as it has a GDP and population that are both around 10 times greater than those of its neighbour.</p>

<p>Never condemning the assault but also stopping short of expressing any backing for it, China has remained relatively tight-lipped about Russia's invasion of Ukraine.</p>

<p>With a border dispute over islands in the Amur River bringing the two sides to the brink of war in 1969, there were tensions in Soviet times when both Beijing and Moscow were supposed to be Communist allies.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Chinese President Xi Jinping has received a warning from US President Joe Biden. According to the American leader, if Beijing violates sanctions imposed by a coalition of countries against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, it will damage the investment climate.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has received a warning from US President Joe Biden. According to the American leader, if Beijing violates sanctions imposed by a coalition of countries against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, it will damage the investment climate. When asked if American forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, Biden gave an affirmative answer. Although there is no indication that China has actively supported the Russian war effort with weapons sales, Biden said he told Xi that violating the sanctions would be a "gigantic mistake." During an interview with CBS, Biden said he delivered the warning in a phone call shortly after Xi met with Putin at the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 4. "I called President Xi -- not to threaten at all, just to say to him... that if you think Americans and others will continue to invest in China, based on your violating the sanctions that have been imposed on Russia, I think you're making a gigantic mistake," CBS quoted Biden as saying. "Thus far, there's no indication they put forward weapons or other things that Russia has wanted," he added. × Dismissing the notion that the Chinese-Russian alliance effectively means the United States is fighting a new kind of Cold War, Biden requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to forgo the use of nuclear weapons in the wake of setbacks in Ukraine. Despite previously having stated he will run again, Biden said that he has yet to decide whether he will seek a second term in 2024. Putting Putin under pressure from nationalists at home to regain the initiative, Ukraine's military drove back Russian forces in a lightning rout in the northeast of the country this week. Resulting in the ongoing devastation of cities and towns across much of the country, Russia invaded its pro-Western neighbour Ukraine on February 24. Also read | US report points out glaring weakness shared by Chinese and Russian militaries While their alliance is unequal and its future far from clear, Xi and Putin have talked up the Beijing-Moscow relationship as the new centre of a multipolar world. Beijing has every claim to be the senior partner in an unbalanced relationship as it has a GDP and population that are both around 10 times greater than those of its neighbour. Never condemning the assault but also stopping short of expressing any backing for it, China has remained relatively tight-lipped about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. With a border dispute over islands in the Amur River bringing the two sides to the brink of war in 1969, there were tensions in Soviet times when both Beijing and Moscow were supposed to be Communist allies. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Biden warns Xi, says US forces would help defend Taiwan against China

Heads of 11 member states attended day one of the SCO Summit in Samarkand and at dinner on Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping was missing from those pictures.

SCO Summit 2022: China's Xi skips dinner with Putin, allies as Covid precaution

<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping met Russian President Vladimir Putin in the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan on Thursday and had important discussions about Taiwan and Ukraine.</p>

<p>After blasting Washington’s “ugly” policies, Putin thanked Xi for his “balanced” approach to the Ukrainian crisis.</p>

<p>Ahead of the 20th Communist Party Congress, Xi is confident about his grip on power as he is due to cement his place as the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong.</p>

<p>Allowing Xi to present himself as the global leader of the anti-American world, China's “no-limits” friendship with Moscow is giving Russia the leverage to tilt towards Asia.</p>

<p>Being careful not to provide the sort of direct material support which could provoke Western sanctions, Xi promised “strong support” to Russia’s “core interests.”</p>

<p>Although for much of the past 300 years Russia has looked to the West as the crucible of economic growth, Putin casts the West as a failing group of declining US puppets.</p>

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<p>Calling Russian action against Ukraine a legitimate response to US provocation, China's foreign ministry defended Moscow's ''special military operation.''</p>

<p>Since Soviet geologists found oil and gas in the swamps of Siberia in the decades after World War Two, selling oil and gas to Europe has been one of the main sources of Russian foreign currency earnings.</p>

<p>As the West moves to establish a price cap on Russian energy resources and potentially cut their imports altogether, observers say Russia will likely grow increasingly reliant on China as a market for its oil and gas.</p>

<p>Following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, Russia backed China amid tensions with Washington.</p>

<p>While Putin said last week that a major gas export route to China via Mongolia had been agreed, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said no new energy deals with China are expected to be signed in Uzbekistan.</p>

<p>From the Bovanenkovo and Kharasavey gas fields in Yamal, the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline will travel through Mongolia taking Russian gas to China.</p>

<p>After the West froze $300 billion in Russian state-owned reserves, Moscow called dollars and euros "toxic".</p>

<p>As a result of the deepening ties between Russia and China, the yuan is becoming much more popular as Moscow tries to ditch its post-Soviet addiction to cash US dollars.</p>

<p>On the basis of a 50-50 split between the Russian rouble and Chinese yuan, Putin said last week that China will pay Gazprom for its gas in national currencies.</p>

<p>After successfully completing its debut yuan-denominated bond placement worth 15 billion yuan ($2.15 billion), Russia's largest oil producer Rosneft said it was gradually shifting to foreign trade settlements in Russian roubles and national currencies of "friendly" countries.</p>

<p>While Russia's largest gold producer Polyus issued bonds denominated in the Chinese yuan worth 4.6 billion yuan ($670 million), the country's aluminium producer Rusal tapped the yuan bond market on the Moscow Exchange.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Chinese President Xi Jinping met Russian President Vladimir Putin in the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan on Thursday and had important discussions about Taiwan and Ukraine.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Russian President Vladimir Putin in the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan on Thursday and had important discussions about Taiwan and Ukraine. After blasting Washington’s “ugly” policies, Putin thanked Xi for his “balanced” approach to the Ukrainian crisis. Ahead of the 20th Communist Party Congress, Xi is confident about his grip on power as he is due to cement his place as the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong. Allowing Xi to present himself as the global leader of the anti-American world, China's “no-limits” friendship with Moscow is giving Russia the leverage to tilt towards Asia. Being careful not to provide the sort of direct material support which could provoke Western sanctions, Xi promised “strong support” to Russia’s “core interests.” Although for much of the past 300 years Russia has looked to the West as the crucible of economic growth, Putin casts the West as a failing group of declining US puppets. × Calling Russian action against Ukraine a legitimate response to US provocation, China's foreign ministry defended Moscow's ''special military operation.'' Since Soviet geologists found oil and gas in the swamps of Siberia in the decades after World War Two, selling oil and gas to Europe has been one of the main sources of Russian foreign currency earnings. As the West moves to establish a price cap on Russian energy resources and potentially cut their imports altogether, observers say Russia will likely grow increasingly reliant on China as a market for its oil and gas. Following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, Russia backed China amid tensions with Washington. While Putin said last week that a major gas export route to China via Mongolia had been agreed, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said no new energy deals with China are expected to be signed in Uzbekistan. From the Bovanenkovo and Kharasavey gas fields in Yamal, the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline will travel through Mongolia taking Russian gas to China. After the West froze $300 billion in Russian state-owned reserves, Moscow called dollars and euros "toxic". As a result of the deepening ties between Russia and China, the yuan is becoming much more popular as Moscow tries to ditch its post-Soviet addiction to cash US dollars. On the basis of a 50-50 split between the Russian rouble and Chinese yuan, Putin said last week that China will pay Gazprom for its gas in national currencies. After successfully completing its debut yuan-denominated bond placement worth 15 billion yuan ($2.15 billion), Russia's largest oil producer Rosneft said it was gradually shifting to foreign trade settlements in Russian roubles and national currencies of "friendly" countries. While Russia's largest gold producer Polyus issued bonds denominated in the Chinese yuan worth 4.6 billion yuan ($670 million), the country's aluminium producer Rusal tapped the yuan bond market on the Moscow Exchange. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

From energy to yuan: All you need to know about Xi and Putin's 'no limits' partnership

The meeting between old friends Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit showed a solidifying alliance between both sides. Moreover, China has leaned towards Russia and against the West since Russia invaded Ukraine.

China, Russia forge stronger ties at the SCO summit

China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin are all set to meet in a few hours from now. They will be discussing the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Taiwan Strait and other international and regional issues. WION correspondent Siddhant Sibbal brings details.

High-stakes bilateral meet in Uzbekistan to boost diplomatic ties

China’s President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan, which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend.

SCO Summit 2022: Chinese President Xi Jinping to hold talks with Russia's Putin at Uzbekistan summit

Next month, Xi Jinping is expected to secure a record third term as China's President. Before his re-election, Xi is reaching out to Central Asia. The goal? To build an alternative world order - with China at the Centre. Priyanka Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Xi Jinping's big bet before his "coronation"

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