Brookings: Experts - Cheng Li

Intra-Party Democracy in China: Should We Take It Seriously?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Cheng Li examines the concept of "intra-Party democracy," which China's leaders have recently characterized as the lifeblood of the Chinese Communist Party, and as crucial to its continued primacy. Li argues that intra-party democracy is important for institutionalizing the new rules and norms of Chinese elite politics, and that it is an experiment which will have profound implications for China's political future.

Can President Obama Pull a Cairo-Speech Moment in China?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Barack Obama's maiden trip to China was his first face-to-face opportunity to shape U.S.-China relations. In this preview of the president's visit, Cheng Li and Jordan Lee examined new openings for Obama to press Beijing on harder questions, and the fine line he would have to walk between respect for China and pulling all his punches, while reflecting candidly on American ideals.

Obama’s China Trip: Forging Middle Class Ties

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Prior to President Obama's visit to Beijing in November, Cheng Li and Jordan Lee wrote that the president should recognize that China is becoming a middle class country like the United States. Li and Lee believe focusing on China’s middle class may be a way to find more common ground in U.S.-China relations that will become more important as time goes on.

The Future of China's Legal System

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

China’s legal system has recently come under close scrutiny after the controversial detainment of famous lawyer Xu Zhiyong in July of 2009. Cheng Li and Jordan Lee argue that while the Chinese government does fall short in its acceptance of politically sensitive cases, the nation’s strong foundation in law-based policies and recent incremental legal system developments could pave the way for advanced reform.

One Party, Two Coalitions in China’s Politics

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

China has been the fastest growing major economy for the last two decades and its future prospects are bright, but China’s political future is less clear according to Cheng Li. He writes that even though the Chinese Communist Party will continue to hold power for the near-term, it is unlikely they will remain as dominant in the future.

China’s New Think Tanks

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As Chinese think tanks begin to acquire qualities that have long described their peers in other countries, business leaders from major state-owned companies private companies now play a crucial role in the management. Cheng Li takes a close look at the formation of prominent think tanks in the country and adds new analysis to the long-standing and complicated relationship between power, wealth and knowledge.

Businesses Cannot Ignore China

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Cheng Li joined the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to discuss the arrest of Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu and the need to understand the continually increasing business opportunities in China.

Ethnic Tensions in China

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ethnic riots in western China in July left at least 156 dead and thousands injured or imprisoned. Brookings China expert Cheng Li joined Diane Rehm to speak about the Uighur protests and the response from China's leadership.

Democracy Gaining Momentum in China

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Though many believe China's drive toward democracy stagnated after the People's Liberation Army put down the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations, Cheng Li argues otherwise. Li notes that while the political system is still constrained by party monopoly on power, lack of an independent judiciary and media censorship, China is making significant progress on the democratic front.

Shanghai as China’s Center for International Finance and Shipping

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Throughout the 1990s, China’s official media referred to Shanghai as the “head of the dragon" because of its pivotal role in rapid economic growth across China. The term became less common as a balanced regional development strategy took over under Hu Jinto. Cheng Li examines the issue as China once again—this time pushed by the global economic crisis—sets sights on making Shanghai a "global financial and shipping center.”

China’s Team of Rivals

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A financial meltdown in China promises to test the Communist Party’s power in ways not seen since Tiananmen. But theirs is a house divided, as princelings take on populists and Pekinologists try to make sense of it all. Will this team built for economic success implode once the money dries up? Cheng Li explores these issues and more.

Hu Jintao’s Land Reform: Ambition, Ambiguity, and Anxiety

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Amid the global financial crisis and its strong impact on the Chinese economy, the Party leadership has embarked on another land reform plan. This ambitious development plan promises to give farmers more rights and market incentives that will encourage them to subcontract and transfer land and give incentives for surplus rural laborers to move to urban areas. Cheng Li's preliminary study of the launch of Hu Jintao’s land reform aims to shed light on the program.

Experiments in the Recruitment of Chinese Political Elites

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With a focus on both intra-party elections and people’s congress elections, China expert Cheng Li offers a preliminary assessment of elections in China—their significance, limitations, and impact on the Chinese political process.

China: A Global Power

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:39:44 GMT

Calling the 2008 Olympic Games a wake-up call, Cheng Li says China is at the precipice of new openness and transparency. Change is critical, he adds, if China wants to be a serious global power.

An Olympic Lift to U.S.-China Relations

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings China expert Cheng Li and author Frank Wu believe the Beijing Olympics can be a means to foster better U.S.-China relations. They contend that is now time for constructive engagement and strategic dialogue in areas, among others, of trade, the environment, energy, as well as human rights, civil liberties, and the rule of law.

China’s Fifth Generation: Is Diversity a Source of Strength or Weakness?

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cheng Li explores the emerging “fifth generation” of China's leaders with a focus both on intergenerational shared characteristics and on intragenerational diversities.

Debating China's Future: Speed vs. Direction

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China expert Cheng Li writes about the future of China as a world power. He argues that in order for the country to continue rising to prominence, Chinese leaders will have to realize it is dependent on further adaption to global governance norms like openness and the rule of law.

Ethnic Minority Elites in China’s Party-State Leadership

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Recent uprisings across Tibetan regions of China as well as purported terror plots planned by Uighur separatists seeking independence for Xinjiang have highlighted the challenges that the Chinese Communist Party faces in governing a Han-dominant but multiethnic China. Cheng Li analyzes these challenges in this empirical assessment.

Democracy Is a Good Thing : Essays on Politics, Society, and Culture in Contemporary China

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:00:00 GMT

This timely volume provides important clues on where Chinese political development is heading.

China's Changing Political Landscape : Prospects for Democracy

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In China’s Changing Political Landscape, leading experts examine the prospects for democracy in the world’s most populous nation.

China and the Olympics

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China recently announced thwarted terrorism plots as protests against the country's hosting of the Olympics continue across the world. China expert Cheng Li joined Diane Rehm to discuss these issues and others facing the August games in Beijing.

Hu Jintao’s Southern Expedition: Changing Leadership in Guangdong

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China’s political landscape is changing rapidly. Nowhere is this more evident than in Guangdong today, where all three of the top leadership posts have recently been transferred into the hands of Hu Jintao’s protégés. Cheng Li analyzes the situation in Guangdong and what it may mean for the state of political reforms across the country.

China’s Economic Decisionmakers

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Following political transitions resulting from China's 17th Party Congress and 11th National People's Congress, Cheng Li argues the country’s new economic leadership team will need to work together to balance China’s economic growth with its sociopolitical challenges.

A Pivotal Stepping-Stone: Local Leaders’ Representation on the 17th Central Committee

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Besides their relatively young age, the six rising stars in the new Politburo—Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Yuanchao, Wang Qishan, Wang Yang, and Bo Xilai—have one important thing in common. They have all had leadership experience as provincial chiefs.

China's Leadership, Fifth Generation

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Is the emergence of a more collective form of leadership atop the Chinese Communist Party a cause for celebration or anxiety? And how have the economic and social reforms that China has been experiencing over the past 30 years been reflected in the nation’s politics? Cheng Li takes a look at these important questions and finds that the Chinese leadership today appears to be evenly balanced between elites and populists.

China’s New Military Elite

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Analyses of the 17^th Party Congress of the Chinese Communist Party have mostly focused on the policy and personnel changes taken at the leadership conference. Cheng Li and Scott Harold argue that the implications of massive turnover among military representatives is just as important of a development in China.

China: Riding Two Horses at Once

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

At the conclusion of the 17th Party Congress, China’s leaders named the likely successor to President Hu Jintao. The trouble is, they picked two vastly different men to vie for the same top job. Will these new “heirs apparent” be able to work in tandem? Or will their competition for power pull the country apart?

China’s Most Powerful “Princelings”: How Many Will Enter the New Politburo?

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The 17th Party Congress may cause strong social resentment in China due to the possibility that the newly established Politburo will be filled with many “princelings,” who come from the families of former high-ranking officials. Cheng Li argues that "the presence of these princelings will reinforce public perceptions of the convergence of power and wealth in the country."

Leadership Change at the 17th Party Congress: A Preview

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In testimony before a Congressional Committee, Cheng Li discusses upcoming changes in China's top leadership that will occur at the 17th Party Congress and will be announced in the coming days.

China in the Year 2020: Three Political Scenarios

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

China faces major future challenges including whether Beijing will move toward democracy, remain authoritarian or become a failed state. Cheng Li examines where China’s current trajectory is likely to take it by 2020.

The Leadership of China's Four Major Cities: A Study of Municipal Party Standing Committees

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Cheng Li, China Leadership Monitor (Summer 2007)

Q&A: China Leadership Conference

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Jeffrey A. Bader and Cheng Li talk about the 17th Party Congress and what lies ahead for China's political future.