分类： politics

In a significant demonstration of China’s consultative governance approach, Premier Li Qiang convened a high-level symposium in Beijing on January 26, 2026, to gather expert input on two crucial policy documents: the draft government work report and the preliminary framework for China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). The meeting brought together leadership from non-Communist political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and prominent non-affiliated intellectuals, creating a diverse forum for policy refinement.

During the comprehensive dialogue, participants presented substantial recommendations across multiple development domains. Key discussion points included strategies for enhancing macroeconomic regulation mechanisms, fortifying domestic market structures, cultivating innovative productive capabilities, advancing reform and opening-up initiatives, and improving social welfare systems. The exchange highlighted China’s multidimensional approach to policy formulation during a critical juncture in its development trajectory.

Premier Li acknowledged the substantive value of these contributions, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between governmental planning and expert consultation. He contextualized the current economic landscape, noting increasing external uncertainties and persistent domestic challenges that require sophisticated policy responses. The Premier advocated for implementing more proactive macroeconomic measures with enhanced coordination between reform initiatives and broader economic policies, aiming for qualitative economic improvement alongside appropriate quantitative growth targets.

Looking forward, Li expressed expectations for continued collaborative engagement from all participating organizations, particularly in addressing prominent development obstacles and contributing collective wisdom toward China’s high-quality economic and social advancement. This consultative process exemplifies China’s distinctive governance model that integrates specialized expertise into national strategic planning.

China’s senior official responsible for Hong Kong and Macao affairs has called for strengthened commitment to the executive-led governance model in both special administrative regions. Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized the system’s critical role in ensuring administrative efficiency and alignment with national development objectives during a Beijing seminar on January 26, 2026.

The seminar, organized by the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, focused on enhancing governance frameworks in both regions. Xia described the executive-led principle as fundamental to the political architecture of the SARs and essential for the comprehensive implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle. He asserted that this governance model has demonstrated both vitality and superiority, particularly evident in Hong Kong’s transition from stability to prosperity.

Xia stressed that effective governance requires coordinated synergy between executive, legislative, and judicial branches, with all components operating on “the same stage” rather than working at cross-purposes. His comments come following recent legislative elections in both Hong Kong and Macao, with Xia urging newly elected lawmakers to deepen their patriotic commitment and actively participate in regional development initiatives.

The senior official called on SAR governments to function as “primary stewards” of local governance, rallying legislative, judicial, and community stakeholders behind national development priorities. He specifically emphasized the need to align regional governance with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), encouraging innovation in administrative methods and leveraging legal authorities to drive reform.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu responded to Xia’s remarks through social media, characterizing executive-led governance as both a “fundamental requirement” under “one country, two systems” and a “staunch pillar” of Hong Kong’s continued success. Lee committed to enhancing governance efficiency and building a results-oriented administration, requesting support and oversight from the new Legislative Council.

Legislators from both regions expressed alignment with the governance direction. Hong Kong lawmaker Michael Ngai Ming-tak acknowledged his responsibility to support government efficiency through pragmatic policies, while Macao legislator Jose Chui Sai-peng pledged to fulfill a “bridging role” between government and community needs.

The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong endorsed the approach, with chairman Jonathan Choi Koon-shum emphasizing that implementing the executive-led system and cultivating constructive executive-legislative relations would enable deeper reforms and stronger economic growth.

The International Criminal Court has formally declared former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte mentally competent to participate in pre-trial proceedings regarding alleged crimes against humanity. This judicial determination, issued on Monday, directly countermands defense claims that the 80-year-old leader suffers from cognitive impairments that would prevent his meaningful engagement with the court.

Judicial authorities at The Hague-based court have scheduled a critical hearing for February 23rd to evaluate whether prosecutors have established sufficient evidentiary foundation to advance the case to full trial. The ICC’s medical assessment panel concluded that Duterte retains adequate mental capacity to exercise his procedural rights effectively, noting that participation standards “did not have to be at their notionally highest level.”

Duterte faces allegations of orchestrating systematic human rights violations during his controversial anti-drug campaign (2016-2022), which resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings of suspected drug offenders. The former president consistently defended the brutal crackdown as necessary for establishing public order and economic stability.

Congresswoman Leila de Lima, a prominent Duterte critic who was previously imprisoned on fabricated drug charges during his administration, hailed the ruling as a victory for accountability: “This tells victims that in the reckoning of Duterte at the ICC, their voices will not be sidelined by technical evasions.”

The former leader’s arrest at Manila International Airport in March 2025 coincided with the dissolution of his political alliance with successor President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Duterte’s detention has polarized Philippine society, drawing condemnation from human rights organizations while maintaining support among populist constituencies who feel marginalized by traditional political elites.

Notably, Duterte secured election as mayor of Davao City while incarcerated in May 2024, demonstrating his enduring political influence. His daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte, remains a formidable presidential contender for the 2028 elections, where term limits prevent Marcos from seeking reelection.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is embarking on a diplomatically sensitive mission to China this Wednesday, marking the first visit by a UK leader since 2018. The trip comes at a pivotal moment as Britain navigates increasingly strained relations with the United States under President Donald Trump, who has imposed tariffs and criticism on traditional allies.

Starmer’s delegation includes Business Secretary Peter Kyle and numerous corporate leaders, signaling Britain’s intent to secure Chinese technological investment and greater market access for UK financial services, automotive exports, and Scotch whisky. The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping directly, seeking to reinvigorate economic ties while managing complex security concerns.

Professor Zhao Minghao of Fudan University’s Institute of International Studies noted China’s evolving role, observing that “China is no longer just the world’s factory; it is also becoming a global market.”

The diplomatic landscape has shifted dramatically since the so-called “golden era” of UK-China relations proclaimed in 2015 by Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron. Recent years have seen relations deteriorate over Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong’s civil liberties, support for Russia in Ukraine, and growing concerns about espionage and economic interference.

Kerry Brown, director of the Lau China Institute at King’s College London, characterized the challenging environment: “Starmer is going to be talking to a very skeptical audience. Britain has not been very consistent in its relations with China. We have been very hot and cold.”

The Labour government, after conducting an 18-month review of China policy, promotes a doctrine of “hard-headed pragmatism”—balancing national security protection against espionage with continued diplomatic engagement and economic cooperation. This approach comes as Britain’s economy, the world’s sixth largest, requires stimulation amid stagnant growth and persistent cost-of-living pressures.

Starmer’s outreach to Beijing coincides with mounting tensions with Washington. Despite initially avoiding public criticism of Trump’s attacks on London’s mayor, British immigration policies, and his lawsuit against the BBC, Starmer recently condemned Trump’s aspirations regarding Greenland and his disparaging comments about NATO allies in Afghanistan.

This diplomatic rebalancing extends beyond Britain. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently visited Beijing, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz scheduled to follow next month—signaling a broader trend among US allies to hedge against Washington’s unpredictability.

However, rapprochement with China carries significant risks. Trump has threatened 100% tariffs on Canadian goods following Carney’s recent trade agreement with China, suggesting similar consequences could await Britain.

Starmer also faces domestic criticism over security concerns, particularly regarding the approval of a massive 20,000-square-meter Chinese embassy near the Tower of London. Critics warn the “mega-embassy” could facilitate espionage and intimidation of dissidents. Additional controversy surrounds the agreement to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which some fear could expand Chinese influence near a strategic UK-US military base.

Human rights considerations present further complications. Former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten urged Starmer to firmly address issues including treatment of Uyghur minorities and the imprisonment of British citizen Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist.

According to Brown, the visit will likely be deemed successful if it secures substantial Chinese investment while avoiding major political pitfalls, establishing “consistency, a bit more predictability” in bilateral relations: “Friends where we can be friends, otherwise agree to disagree.”

The Italian government has formally summoned Israel’s ambassador to Rome following a serious security incident involving two Italian carabinieri officers near the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah. The diplomatic confrontation emerged after Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani demanded immediate clarifications regarding Sunday’s event where Italian security personnel faced armed intimidation.

According to official statements from Italy’s foreign ministry, the two officers—stationed at Italy’s consulate general in Jerusalem—were conducting official duties in Palestinian territory adjacent to Ramallah when an individual identified as a ‘settler’ intercepted them while brandishing an automatic rifle. The armed confrontation represents a significant breach of diplomatic security protocols.

Minister Tajani personally instructed the summoning of Israeli Ambassador Alon Bar to convey Italy’s formal protest and seek comprehensive explanations regarding the alarming incident. During the meeting, Italian authorities expressed their “strong disapproval” of the event and emphasized growing concerns about escalating violence by settlers in the West Bank region.

In parallel diplomatic channels, Italy’s embassy in Tel Aviv lodged an additional formal protest, underscoring the seriousness with which Rome views the security of its diplomatic personnel. The incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing international attention on settler activities in occupied territories, with several nations previously expressing concerns about destabilizing actions that threaten regional stability and diplomatic operations.

The diplomatic démarche represents one of the most direct confrontations between Italy and Israel regarding security matters in recent years, potentially affecting bilateral cooperation frameworks. Both governments are expected to continue discussions through diplomatic channels to prevent similar incidents and ensure the safety of foreign diplomatic personnel operating in contested territories.