Latest news with #CaiQi
South China Morning Post
04-08-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Seaside meeting of experts a clue to the summer migration of China's political elite
The appearance of President Xi Jinping's chief of staff at the Beidaihe resort on Sunday indicates that senior Chinese leaders have started their annual summer break. In keeping with an annual protocol, Cai Qi hosted more than three dozen Chinese academics and scientists in the seaside city, saying 'experts and talented individuals are valuable assets to the party and the country', according to a report published by state broadcaster CCTV on Sunday. State media reports said the attendees were experts from hi-tech industries, as well as young talent engaged in fundamental research and scholars of philosophy and the social sciences. 01:25 Where China's top leaders discreetly go in summer: a brief history of Beidaihe Where China's top leaders discreetly go in summer: a brief history of Beidaihe Last year, invitations were extended to researchers in artificial intelligence, deep-sea exploration and quantum physics, highlighting the country's drive for tech self-reliance. Cai, who ranks fifth in the ruling Communist Party hierarchy, is a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and director of the party's general office. His appearance indicates that the senior Chinese leadership has started its unofficial annual retreat to Beidaihe, a seaside town 300km (186 miles) east of Beijing. The tradition was started in the 1950s by leaders, including Mao Zedong, who worked from there during the summer. Beidaihe was long used by Chinese leaders to set the political agenda and strategy during a less busy time in their political calendar. It is believed to be used mostly as a summer holiday retreat these days rather than a meeting venue for political leaders. In recent years, the leaders' August break has lasted around 10 to 14 days. During this time, top political leaders have a reduced public presence in China, although they appear when urgent matters, such as natural disasters, arise. Details about how long leaders will stay at the resort are not made public, but Qinghuadao, the city in Hebei province that governs Beidaihe, announced in May that drones and other low-altitude aircraft would be banned in July and August, a clear indication that stricter security measures would be in place.
Gulf Insider
26-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
"Barrage Of Public Criticism": Xi Jinping's Admin Eases Alcohol Ban On Officials After Backlash
The Xi Jinping administration has revised a widely criticized 'alcohol ban' on government and party officials after backlash over its economic impact and excessive enforcement, according to Nikkei. The slight policy adjustment was announced through three key state media outlets, often referred to as the 'throat and tongue' of the Chinese Communist Party. On June 17, People's Daily Online emphasized that not all eating and drinking was banned—only indulgence in luxury food, alcohol, and cigarettes at official functions. State-run Xinhua followed on June 19, warning against a 'one size fits all' crackdown, while the Qiushi Journal clarified on June 20 that 'normal' dining and drinking are still permitted. The ban, widely seen as an overreach, triggered a sharp drop in alcohol sales as civil servants across the country began avoiding restaurants out of fear. In some areas, officials were banned from dining out even privately or on weekends, and surveillance cameras were installed in restaurants to monitor their behavior. One civil servant was punished simply for accepting a bowl of noodles from a business contact. Nikkei Asia writes that this policy shift reflects a rare, swift reversal from Xi's leadership—especially when compared to the drawn-out rollback of the zero-COVID policy, which remained in place despite economic damage and was only lifted at the end of 2022. The ban's origins trace back to March, when the Central Leading Group for Party Building, led by Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi, launched an education campaign to enforce Xi's 2012 'eight-point rules' promoting frugality. The campaign, set to run through July, coincides with the lead-up to the Beidaihe meeting of senior and retired party leaders in August. Cai Qi, one of Xi's closest allies, oversees the group and also heads the party's General Office and propaganda apparatus. Another Xi confidant, Li Xi, serves as deputy leader of the group and heads the party's anti-graft agency. Though the 2012 code does not ban alcohol, the campaign's enforcement led to a de facto nationwide prohibition. The situation escalated after several civil servants died from alcohol poisoning at official banquets, prompting public anger and local overcorrections. 'Some local organizations overreacted,' the People's Daily commentary noted, while Xinhua urged restraint and context. The revisions, announced in mid-May through the updated Regulations on Practicing Thrift and Opposing Waste, are seen as an effort to correct course without undermining Xi's authority. 'The administration seems to have decided to prioritize shoring up domestic consumption over saving face,' a notable shift from past rigidity. The controversy also unfolded just before the June 30 Politburo meeting, where officials announced new regulations for decision-making bodies like the Central Leading Group for Party Building. The move hinted at a subtle recalibration of centralized power in Beijing's Zhongnanhai. As one official media headline made clear, the ban wasn't meant to target all alcohol consumption. But the overreach, like the zero-COVID measures before it, underscored how quickly Xi-era campaigns can ripple through China—often with unintended consequences.
Borneo Post
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
China marks 88th anniversary of whole-nation resistance against Japanese aggression
Cai delivers a speech at a ceremony to mark the 88th anniversary of the start of the entire nation's resistance against Japanese aggression in Beijing on July 7, 2025. – Xinhua photo BEIJING (July 10): China on Monday held a ceremony in Beijing to mark the 88th anniversary of the start of the entire nation's resistance against Japanese aggression. An exhibition themed 'For National Liberation and World Peace' was also launched to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Both the ceremony and the exhibition were held at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, located near the Lugou Bridge – also known as the Marco Polo Bridge – where Japanese troops attacked Chinese forces on July 7, 1937. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a speech at the event and announced the opening of the exhibition. When Japanese militarists staged the Lugou Bridge Incident and launched their full-scale invasion of China 88 years ago, the Chinese military and people rose up in resistance, initiating a whole-of-nation war effort that opened the main Eastern battlefield in the global war against fascism, said Cai. Cai stressed that the CPC fought bravely on the front lines of the resistance and set the direction of the national effort, serving as the pillar of the entire nation throughout the war. United in purpose, the Chinese people fought with unwavering resolve – for the country's survival, national rejuvenation, and the cause of justice for all humanity, Cai said, adding that they eventually won the war and made a significant contribution to the victory in the global war against fascism. The exhibition presents a panoramic view of the glorious course of the Chinese people's 14-year hard war of resistance, said Cai, who emphasised the need to carry forward the spirit of the resistance war, strengthen confidence and forge ahead to build China into a strong country and rejuvenate the Chinese nation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernisation. He also stressed the significance of making new and greater contributions to the noble cause of peace and development for humanity. Cai visits an exhibition themed 'For National Liberation and World Peace' in Beijing on July 7, 2025. – Xinhua photo Cai and other leaders joined representatives from all walks of life to present flowers to martyrs of the resistance war. They also visited the exhibition. Around 600 people attended the events. The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was the first war to break out amid the World Anti-Fascist War, and lasted the longest, resulting in over 35 million Chinese military and civilian casualties. On the main Eastern battlefield in this global fight against fascism, China's resistance efforts saw a decisive victory over Japanese fascism, and supported other fronts in Europe and Asia, contributing profoundly to the final global victory and world peace. The exhibition, divided into eight parts with a total area of 12,200 square meters, displays 1,525 photos and 3,237 artifacts. A dedicated section within the exhibition memorialises fallen heroes, prominently featuring the etched names of notable martyrs and heroic units. Reflecting on the profound impact of this legacy, young official Qu Bin said: 'Each martyr stands as an eternal symbol of courage. Their unwavering patriotism and valor remain a wellspring of determination, fueling our resolve to overcome today's challenges.' Middle school student Zhu Jiangyu voiced the conviction of the country's youngest generations: 'The necessity of national rejuvenation is sealed within our hearts. Propelled by the spirit of our forebears, we, the youth, will hold fast to our ideals, nurture profound dedication to our nation, fulfill our mission, and shine brightly in our era.' Wang Taihe, son of a veteran who fought in the resistance war, articulated the necessity of remembrance and vigilance. 'We gather to honor the pioneers who sacrificed all for peace, ensuring their indelible legacy endures,' Wang said at the ceremony. 'Our duty is to expose distortions of history that deny aggression, and to fortify our collective commitment to lasting peace.' Also on Monday, China's Central Archives opened over 57,000 documents to the public. The newly accessible material includes more than 40,000 items specifically chronicling the resistance period from September 1931 to September 1945. Commemorative activities were also held in other parts of China. On Monday morning, the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, held educational events including poetry reading and a bell-striking ceremony attended by young students, teachers, military officers and volunteers. Fu Yucheng, a middle school student from Yixing City in Jiangsu, made a special trip to the memorial during his summer vacation to gain a deeper understanding of that period of history. 'The historical materials in the exhibition hall left me with an especially heavy heart,' Fu said. 'We young people should draw strength from history to move forward, and strive to shoulder our due responsibilities.' Photo taken on July 7, 2025 shows a ceremony to mark the 88th anniversary of the start of the entire nation's resistance against Japanese aggression in Beijing. – Xinhua photo The September 18 Historical Museum in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, on Monday partnered with several media outlets to disseminate people's memories of the war of resistance on its online virtual exhibition platform, releasing live broadcasts, a series of micro-documentary screenings, and details of interactive online and in-person activities. The museum has also created a dedicated memorial section on its official website and WeChat account, allowing the public to post digital tributes to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the independence and liberation of the Chinese nation. Through diversified commemorative activities, the museum aims to immerse the public in the profound historical culture of the war of resistance while passing down its great spirit, said Fan Lihong, the museum's curator. More than ten political parties and organisations in Taiwan on Monday gathered in central Taipei, braving the rain to commemorate the 88th anniversary of the start of the entire Chinese nation's resistance against Japanese aggression. The rally, held outside the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) headquarters, called for respect for historical facts and opposition to pro-Japanese historical narratives, urging the DPP authorities to acknowledge the shared history of cross-Strait resistance and recognize the contributions of Taiwan people during the war. Chi Chia-lin, honorary chairman of the Reunification Alliance Party in Taiwan, said that the anniversary of the whole Chinese nation's resistance against Japanese aggression served as a reminder for opposing 'Taiwan independence' separatism and promoting national reunification. 'Today, we are here to carry forward the national spirit, oppose 'Taiwan independence' separatism, and work toward the reunification of China,' Chi said. He noted that dozens of anti-Japanese incidents broke out across the island within just a month after July 7, 1937, and many young Taiwan patriots also rushed to the motherland to join the war of resistance. 'We came here today to remind the DPP authorities that Taiwan people have a long tradition of patriotism,' said Chi Hsing, publisher of The Observer magazine, urging the DPP authorities to end all separatist activities and help safeguard peaceful cross-Strait development. – Xinhua 88th anniversary Cai Qi China Japanese aggression Xinhua
Yomiuri Shimbun
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
China Voices No Criticism of Japan at Ceremony Commemorating Marco Polo Bridge Incident
BEIJING — China held a ceremony on Monday to mark the 88th anniversary of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, a prelude to the Second Sino-Japanese War. No major criticism of Japan was made at the ceremony, which was held near the bridge in Beijing's suburbs, at a museum memorializing resistance to 'Japanese aggression.' According to state-run news agency Xinhua, the Chinese Communist Party's fifth-ranked official, Cai Qi, who is a member of the Central Committee Secretariat and is also on the Politburo Standing Committee, delivered a speech that stressed how the party fought bravely on the front lines of the resistance. This was the first time for a member of the Politburo — the party's supreme policy-making body — to attend the ceremony since 2022, which marked 85 years since the incident. According to Xinhua, Cai called for unity within the party, urging the thorough implementation of President Xi Jinping's guiding ideology. However, Cai did not make any notable criticisms of Japan in his speech, possibly in consideration of warming ties with Japan. Beijing has labeled this year 'the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the War of Resistance against Japan' and is ramping up its publicity campaign. A special exhibition on the history of the Second Sino-Japanese War and Japan's war crimes started Monday at the museum. Xinhua reported that Xi visited a facility related to the country's fight against Japan in Yangquan, Shanxi Province, on Monday and laid flowers in memory of those who died in battle. A military parade is set to be held at Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Sept. 3, which China celebrates as the anniversary of its victory over Japan.
The Mainichi
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
China marks 88th anniversary of skirmish that led to war with Japan
China held a ceremony Monday to mark the 88th anniversary of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident that triggered the start of a full-blown war with Japan. Cai Qi, the No. 5 figure in the ruling Communist Party, attended the annual event held at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, located near the bridge in southwestern Beijing, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. A skirmish between Japanese and Chinese troops occurred near the stone bridge, also known as the Lugou Bridge, on July 7, 1937, developing into the second Sino-Japanese War that lasted until Japan's surrender to the Allied Powers in 1945. The Chinese government on Monday also held the opening ceremony for a special exhibition at the museum to mark the 80th anniversary this year of the end of World War II, which China calls its victory in the 1937-1945 War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. The exhibition will open to the public on Tuesday, state-run China Central Television reported. The exhibition features the "criminal acts committed by Japanese militarism against the Chinese people," a government official has said, with around 1,500 photos and more than 3,000 other items on display. China has designated Sept. 3 as its victory day, as Japan formally surrendered to the Allied forces the previous day in 1945.
