Military purge begins in China but where is Chinese president Xi Jinping? His absence raises questions like...
Chinese President Xi Jinping has been missing from the public eye for long now. Some recent events indicate that perhaps Xi Jinping is now gradually moving towards distributing his power in the institutional structure or paving the way for a possible successor. Xi Jinping also skipped the 2025 Rio Summit for the first time in over a decade. The prolonged absence is also raising questions is all well within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)?
Where is Xi Jinping?
A video of him interacting with Singaporean PM Lawrence Wong on June 24 was released after a clip of his June 20 meeting with New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon. Before this, he had been absent from any state media coverage since June 4. That was the day when he met Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Zhongnanhai.
Is anything big happening in CCP?
According to reports, China's military is facing a sweeping purge and internal shake-ups. Several top generals and defence officials have been ousted or have 'gone missing'.
Is Xi Jinping going to retire?
China is going to have a Congress meeting in the year 2027, in which a new president is elected. But in 2018, Xi Jinping changed the country's constitution, which said that a person cannot become president more than twice. After which people had assumed that Xi Jinping wants to remain president for life. At the same time, in a report by the South China Morning Post, a Chinese analyst, on the condition of anonymity, said that 'these rules are probably being brought because the time for transfer of power is coming.' So then the question is, is the President of China going to change in the year 2027 and has that process started with this meeting?
Will the Hu Jintao bloc take the precedence?
Recent developments suggest the revival of Hu Jintao bloc's influence. former Chinese President Hu Jintao, 82, (in power from 2003 to 2013), was unexpectedly escorted out of the Great Hall of the People.
The state media said Hu's exit was due to health issues. But footage suggested otherwise, showing a hesitant Hu reaching for papers, Xi looking away, and no one stepping in to assist. Reports also suggest that Wang Yang, a reform-minded technocrat, once considered for the Politburo Standing Committee, to be a potential successor to Xi. Wang is from the Hu bloc. Amid all these factors, Xi's unusual absence from public view has sparked questions.
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The Hindu
20 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Reviving Kailash-Mansarovar yatra to ‘inject new impetus' in India-China ties, direct flights to follow: Chinese Ambassador to India
The situation at the India-China border is 'stable', says China's Ambassador to India Xu Feihong, adding that China is prepared to discuss 'border management and control rules' in order to resolve issues after the 4-year military standoff at the Line of Actual Control ended. In written responses to questions from The Hindu, Mr. Xu spoke about plans to restore normalcy in ties, disclosing that airlines and the government have prepared for the relaunch of direct flights, to restore other exchanges, to resolve investment and trade differences, and said the restart of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra would 'inject new impetus' into relations. Rejecting criticism of China's support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, the Chinese Ambassador said bilateral ties were not targeted at a third country. While criticising comments by Minister Kiren Rijiju on the Dalai Lama's reincarnation, he said Beijing had 'noted' the MEA statement that India has 'no position' on the issue. Excerpts from the written Interview: Q: About 8-9 batches of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have been completed or are underway, and we were able to meet Indian pilgrims there. For the Chinese government, what is the significance of the restoration of the pilgrimage? A: The Kangrínboqê Fēng (Mount Kailash) and Mapam Yuco (Mansarovar) in Xizang (Tibet Autonomous Region/TAR) are regarded as 'sacred mountain and lake' by followers of several religions, including Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism. The visit of Indian pilgrims to the sacred mountain and lake in [Tibet] is a special arrangement made by the Chinese side to show friendliness to the Indian people, accommodate the religious sentiments of the Indian people, and enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. A: During the preparation process, the Chinese side overcame many difficulties and invested a large amount of manpower and resources. Recently, in accordance with the consensus reached by the two sides, the pilgrimage to the sacred mountain and lake has resumed and is proceeding in an orderly manner. The Indian Defence Minister and Minister of External Affairs expressed their appreciation to the Chinese side during their visit to China, and the Indian people also responded enthusiastically. This will help to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between the two countries, and inject new impetus into the improvement and development of China-India relations. Q: Is KMY expected to pave the way for other people-to-people ties, including travel, trade and investment? How soon do you expect direct flights between India and China to begin, and what will be the frequency? A: Resuming the pilgrimage for Indian pilgrims to the sacred mountain and lake in [Tibet] is an important initiative taken by China to improve relations between the two countries. It fully demonstrates China's sincerity and trustworthiness. We hope and believe that the Indian side will work for the shared goal of promoting new developments in cooperation in areas such as investment, trade and tourism between the two countries. Currently, the government departments of both China and India, as well as major airlines, have done a lot of work for the resumption of direct flights. We hope that direct flights between the two countries will be launched as soon as possible. Q: There have been reports of a number of differences over economic issues- China is believed to have objected to India's FDI restrictions, and legal cases against Chinese businesses, while in India, China is perceived to have blocked exports of Critical minerals and fertilizers, and recalled Chinese personnel from Foxconn/Apple factories. How do you expect these to be resolved? A: Standing at a new historical starting point, both China and India are at a critical stage of their respective modernisation. Development is the 'greatest common denominator' between the two nations at present. China has always supported strengthening cooperation between China and India in the economic and trade fields. We hope that India will work together with China to take more measures conducive to bilateral economic and trade exchanges, add incentive policies and reduce restrictive measures, so as to promote China-India economic and trade cooperation to a new level. Q: Has Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed his attendance at the SCO Summit later this year, and would there be a bilateral visit or meeting as well? A: China will hold the SCO summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, 2025. We welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the SCO Tianjin summit. PM Modi said earlier that India fully supports China's SCO presidency. Not long ago India's NSA Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended relevant SCO meetings in China. EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar visited China and participated in the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting, noting that India fully supports China, as the rotating chair, in hosting a successful SCO summit. A: The SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting was successfully held recently and made full political preparations for the upcoming SCO Tianjin summit. Q: At the SCO Defence Minister's meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs said that one country held up the joint statement over references to terrorism and in particular the Pahalgam Terror attack. As Chair, how does China explain the lack of a statement on terrorism at the SCO, an organisation that was founded with a priority on issues of terrorism, extremism and radicalisation, and how confident is China of a joint statement at the FM meet/ Summit? A: The SCO adheres to the Shanghai Spirit, which features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilisations and pursuit of common development. The Shanghai Spirit is the very root and soul of the SCO and the key to its strong vitality. According to this 'code of conduct' of the SCO family, member states can equally express their positions, but also should avoid bringing bilateral conflicts into the multilateral platform. A: Unilateralism and bullying are now forcing their way and bringing serious challenges to the world. As the two most populous emerging economies, China and India need to enhance cooperation under multilateral frameworks such as the SCO and BRICS, resolutely uphold multilateralism, safeguard the common interests of the Global South, promote regional peace, stability and prosperity, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind. Q: Even as India and China restore their exchanges to bring a 'semblance of normalcy', as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a statement, what is the next step on the Line of Actual Control? While both sides agreed to disengage in October 2024, has there been any progress on de-escalation and demobilisation of troops there? A: At present, the situation in the China-India border areas is generally stable. Last October, China and India reached resolutions on relevant issues concerning the border area after intensive consultations and negotiations, and fully and effectively pushed forward their implementation. Last December, based on the important consensus reached by the two leaders in Kazan, China and India held the 23rd Special Representatives' Meeting on the China-India Boundary Question. The two sides held substantive talks and reached a six-point consensus on the China-India boundary question in a positive and constructive attitude. This March, the two sides held the 33rd Meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs and agreed to take concrete and effective measures to continuously maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. In the next stage, China is willing to maintain communication with India through diplomatic and military channels, and in the spirit of equal consultation and mutual and equal security, further refine the border area management and control rules and strengthen confidence-building measures, so as to achieve sustainable peace and tranquillity in the border areas. Q: The Deputy Chief of the Indian Army has alleged that China provided 'all possible support' to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor including live inputs during the 4-day conflict between India and Pakistan in May. What is your response and has India raised its concerns about military interference from China in the conflict? A: After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, China strongly condemned it immediately, reiterating its firm opposition to all forms of terrorism. China has been closely following the situation between India and Pakistan and actively promoting talks for peace. Foreign Minister Wang Yi had phone conversations with India's NSA Ajit Doval and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar respectively. A: India and Pakistan are and will always be each other's neighbours, and both are China's important neighbours. The realisation of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan is in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides, and conducive to regional peace and stability, which is also the common expectation of the international community. China welcomes and supports India and Pakistan to properly settle their differences and seek fundamental solutions through dialogue and consultation. China stands ready to continue playing a constructive role to this end. A: During the recent meeting with EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar, Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasised that China-India relations have their own historical logic and internal driving force, and the relationship does not target any third party, nor should it be disrupted by any third party. Similarly, the development of relations and cooperation between China and Pakistan does not target any third party. Defence and security cooperation is part of the normal cooperation between China and Pakistan. Q: Given that it is an annual practice, why did the Chinese MFA object to PM Modi's birthday greetings to the Dalai Lama? A: The 14th Dalai Lama is not a pure religious figure, but a political exile engaging in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion and attempting to split [Tibet] from China. China consistently and firmly opposes any form of engagement between officials of any country and the 14th Dalai Lama. At present, the improvement and development of China-India relations are at a critical stage, and both sides need to respect each other's core interests and major concerns. China hopes that the Indian side could be fully cognizant of the sensitivity of [Tibet]-related issues, be fully aware of the 14th Dalai Lama's anti-China and separatist nature, stick to its commitment on [Tibet]-related issues, stop using [Tibet]-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs, and refrain from any form of contacts with the Dalai group or providing any form of support or convenience for the Dalai group to carry out anti-China separatist activities, so as not to disrupt the process of improving and developing China-India relations. Q: Does the issue of the Dalai Lama's reincarnation, which the MEA says the government has 'no position' on, have a bearing on India-China ties as well? A: We have noted the MEA of India's response to media queries regarding the statement by the 14th Dalai Lama. However, it cannot be denied that some officials of India openly expressed their welcome and support for the statement by the 14th Dalai Lama and attended his 90th birthday celebration. Some people from strategic communities and the media made improper remarks on the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. Such words and deeds are, in essence, promoting interference in China's internal affairs using [Tibet]-related issues, contrary to Indian government's public stance. A: Let me reiterate that [Tibet] is an inalienable part of China's territory. The lineage of the Dalai Lamas took shape and evolved within [TAR]. The religious status and titles are the prerogative of the central government of China. The reincarnation and succession of the Dalai Lama is inherently an internal affair of China. The Chinese government upholds the principle of independence and self-governance in religious affairs and administers the reincarnation of Living Buddhas, including that of the Dalai Lama, in accordance with the law. No interference by any external forces will be allowed. Hope the Indian side could know what truly matters and what's right, and honour its commitments made to China on [Tibet]-related issues. Q: Are there at present, any talks, or plans for talks between the Chinese government and representatives of the Dalai Lama (as there have been in the past)? A: The Chinese government upholds two fundamental principles when it comes to contact and talks with the 14th Dalai Lama. First, we would only have contact and talks with him or his personal representative, not with the so-called 'Central Tibetan Administration.' Second, any contact or talks, if they occur, will only concern the personal future of the 14th Dalai Lama himself or, at most, a small number of people close to him. A: We are prepared to engage in talks with the 14th Dalai Lama regarding his personal future, provided he genuinely renounces the position aimed at splitting the motherland, completely ceases all separatist activities, publicly recognizes [Tibet] and Taiwan as integral parts of China, publicly recognises the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing all of China. Q: In the past few years, China has created groupings on COVID and poverty alleviation in South Asia that don't include India. Is there an attempt to create a 'SAARC minus India', or are there possibilities for China and India to cooperate in the region? A: China is always committed to the neighbourhood policy of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. By enhancing Political mutual trust, carrying out Inclusive cooperation and injecting impetus into Economic empowerment, China looks forward to joining hands with South Asian countries to make a bigger 'PIE' of cooperation, to promote regional peace, stability, development and prosperity. A: 'P' stands for Political Trust. At present, China, India and other South Asian countries are at a critical stage of modernisation. China stands ready to cooperate with India to enable South Asian people to share peace and stability .'I' stands for Inclusive Cooperation. In recent years, China has initiated cooperation mechanisms such as the China-South Asia Cooperation Forum, the China-South Asia Exposition, the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation, and has recently held the China-Bangladesh-Pakistan Vice Foreign Minister/Foreign Secretary meeting, enhancing the well-being of all the people through open cooperation. These cooperation mechanisms are by no means a closed and confrontational 'small circle'. It does not target any third party and will not be disrupted by any third party. China always welcomes India's participation in all the platforms above and looks forward to carrying out trilateral cooperation with India in South Asia, leveraging our respective strengths to produce the effect in which 1+1+1>3. 'E' stands for Economic Empowerment. Over the past 12 years since China presented the Belt and Road Initiative, trade between China and South Asian countries has doubled from less than US$100 billion to about US$200 billion.
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Jensen Huang, AI visionary in a leather jacket
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Unknown to the general public just three years ago, Jensen Huang is now one of the most powerful entrepreneurs in the world as head of chip giant The unassuming 62-year-old draws stadium crowds of more than 10,000 people as his company's products push the boundaries of artificial intelligence Chips designed by Nvidia, known as graphics cards or GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), are essential in developing the generative artificial intelligence powering technology like tech's insatiable appetite for Nvidia's GPUs, which sell for tens of thousands of dollars each, has catapulted the California chipmaker beyond $4 trillion in market valuation, the first company ever to surpass that meteoric rise has boosted Huang's personal fortune to $150 billion -- making him one of the world's richest people -- thanks to the roughly 3.5 percent stake he holds in the company he founded three decades ago with two friends in a Silicon Valley a clear demonstration of his clout, he recently convinced President Donald Trump to lift restrictions on certain GPU exports to China, despite the fact that China is locked in a battle with the United States for AI supremacy."That was brilliantly done," said Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a governance professor at Yale was able to explain to Trump that "having the world using a US tech platform as the core protocol is definitely in the interest of this country" and won't help the Chinese military, Sonnenfeld in Taipei in 1963, Jensen Huang (originally named Jen-Hsun) embodies the American success story. At nine years old, he was sent away with his brother to boarding school in small-town uncle recommended the school to his Taiwanese parents believing it to be a prestigious institution, when it was actually a school for troubled young to be a student, Huang boarded there but attended a nearby public school alongside the children of tobacco farmers. With his poor English, he was bullied and forced to clean toilets -- a two-year ordeal that transformed him."We worked really hard, we studied really hard, and the kids were really tough," he recounted in an interview with US broadcaster "the ending of the story is I loved the time I was there," Huang home by his parents, who had by then settled in the northwestern US state of Oregon, he graduated from university at just 20 and joined AMD, then LSI Logic, to design chips -- his he wanted to go further and founded Nvidia in 1993 to "solve problems that normal computers can't," using semiconductors powerful enough to handle 3D graphics, as he explained on the "No Priors" created the first GPU in 1999, riding the intersection of video games, data centers, cloud computing, and now, generative AI Always dressed in a black T-shirt and leather jacket, Huang sports a Nvidia logo tattoo and has a taste for sports it's his relentless optimism, low-key personality and lack of political alignment that sets him apart from the likes of Elon Musk and Mark them, Huang was notably absent from Trump's inauguration ceremony."He backpedals his own aura and has the star be the technology rather than himself," observed Sonnenfeld, who believes Huang may be "the most respected of all today's tech titans."One former high-ranking Nvidia employee described him to AFP as "the most driven person" he'd ever visits to his native Taiwan, Huang is treated like a megastar, with fans crowding him for autographs and selfies as journalists follow him to the barber shop and his favorite night market."He has created the phenomena because of his personal charm," noted Wayne Lin of Witology Market Trend Research Institute."A person like him must be very busy and his schedule should be full every day meeting big bosses. But he remembers to eat street food when he comes to Taiwan," he said, calling Huang "unusually friendly."Nvidia is a tight ship and takes great care to project a drama-free image of the former high-ranking employee painted a more nuanced picture, describing a "very paradoxical" individual who is fiercely protective of his employees but also capable, within Nvidia's executive circle, of "ripping people to shreds" over major mistakes or poor choices.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Nepal PM Oli to visit India in September amid rumblings over strained ties with New Delhi
KATHMANDU: Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli will pay an official visit to India towards mid-September, the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday. "Preparations for the upcoming visit of the prime minister are underway. However, the date and the detailed schedules of the visit are yet to be finalised," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri said. However, sources at the Prime Minister's Office said that Oli will embark on his official visit to the southern neighbour on September 16. The visit will be short this time, probably for two days, the sources added. Oli, the chairperson of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) - popular as the CPN-UML - had assumed the office of prime minister for the fourth time last July. He had chosen to visit China for his maiden foreign visit, breaking the tradition of visiting India as the first destination after assuming the post of prime minister. Prime Minister Oli visited China in December last year at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang. During his four day visit, the prime minister addressed a function at Peking University in Beijing and met President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Qiang. Amid speculations by some sections of local media that he didn't receive any invitation from India for an official visit, indicating that his relations with New Delhi had soured, Oli on Thursday said he will be visiting India and that ground work is underway on both sides for the trip. He, however, had not specified any timeframe for the visit at that time.
