The rise of aerospace specialists like Ma Xingrui and Zhang Hongwen is a notable exception to the Xi era turn away from technocracy and engineer-politicians.

Despite Beijing’s recent attempts to sell its own version of democracy, China’s “consultative democracy” has been on a downslide since Xi came to power.

Insights from Trey McArver.

The attempt to frame an alternative model of democracy highlights a shift in the CCP’s quest for legitimacy.

Insights from Ming Xia.

Chen Gang will likely enter the Politburo in 2027. His experience governing technoindustrial clusters will be a valuable skill set for top governance positions through the 2020s.

Chen Min'er has long been near the top of China’s governance structure. His development as a likeness to Xi means he is now the conduit between the elder and younger factions of Xi’s New Core.

Observers of China’s economy need to become more sophisticated in their understanding Beijing’s evolving and competing policy priorities as growth targets fall out of favor.

Analyzing the regime preferences of people in mainland China and Hong Kong during the pandemic.

China’s sharp swing to the left under Xi surprised many. But rather than a new normal, his generation may be the last gasp of old-school Maoism in the country.

The 20th Party Congress will mark the end of Zhao’s CCP career, but his internal affairs policy will continue.