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THIS WEEK:

Shift in rural development policy, Xi and Putin discuss Ukraine, cadres shamed for lying flat, Hangzhou hosts IPCC meeting, and Xi cautions against the “system trap”

1. New Policy Blueprint for Rural Affairs

What Happened: On February 23, China released the annual “No. 1 Central Document,” its top policy blueprint for rural affairs, introducing a major tech-driven shift in agriculture and a stronger push for food security. Stricter land regulations suggest Beijing aims to curb speculation, keeping farmland accessible for rural residents and preventing excess supply from destabilizing urban property markets.

Why It Matters: For the first time, Beijing has applied the “new quality productive forces” concept to farming, signaling a shift in its vision for agricultural modernization. Nearly one-third of the document’s policies relate to food security, underscoring agriculture’s role as a national security priority.
 
By Lizzi C. Lee, Fellow on Chinese Economy, Center for China Analysis (@wstv_lizzi)

Learn More: Lizzi and other CCA fellows will discuss developments at next week’s Two Sessions — the annual meetings of the National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference — in a webinar on March 6.

2. Xi and Putin Discuss Ukraine

What Happened: On February 24, President Xi Jinping held a virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, their second in as many months. The two leaders pledged to enhance bilateral relations as the war in Ukraine enters its third year. According to the Chinese readout, “Russia is committed to removing the root causes of the conflict and reaching a sustainable and long-term peace plan.”

Why It Matters: All eyes are on Ukraine as President Donald Trump explores a possible political resolution to the conflict. China is Russia’s closest ally, in part because Beijing shields Moscow from Western-led sanctions. Putin will continue to lean on Xi and China to protect Russia’s economic and security interests. As a ceasefire agreement nears, the two leaders will likely deepen communication on regional security issues.

By Lyle Morris, Senior Fellow on Foreign Policy and National Security, Center for China Analysis (@LyleJMorris)

Learn More: Watch a panel discussion moderated by Lyle on the evolving dynamics of cooperation and competition between China and Russia in the Arctic.

3. Civil Servants Shamed as Ostriches, Hedgehogs, and Snails

What Happened: Local governments are recognizing underperforming cadres with sarcastic “ostrich awards” for not taking initiative, “hedgehog awards” for refusing service to the public, and “snail awards” for working slowly. A People’s Daily commentary explained that the awards are meant to shame officials accused of “lying flat, not daring to fight, and not willing to take responsibility” and incentivize others to do better, with one city giving “horse awards” to workers who set a positive example.

Why It Matters: Beijing is increasingly concerned about public morale amid widespread dissatisfaction with the economy, high youth unemployment, and damage to the government’s credibility during COVID-19. After an intensive anticorruption campaign entangled hundreds of high-ranking officials — and appreciably more lower-ranking cadres — China’s leaders are now looking for other ways to establish a grassroots image of clean, responsive governance.
 
By G.A. Donovan, Fellow on Society and Political Economy, Center for China Analysis (@GA_DonovanASPI)
 
Learn More: CCA Fellow John Osburg examined the social implications of the failure of official ideology and the party-state’s lack of moral authority in “China’s Middle Class Searches for Faith and Meaning.”

4. Hangzhou Hosts IPCC Meeting

What Happened: On February 24, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change, opened its 62nd Plenary Session in Hangzhou, China, where it will finalize draft outlines for the three Working Group contributions to the Seventh Assessment Report (AR7). More than 400 delegates from 195 member countries are attending the week-long plenary — but the United States elected not to take part.

Why It Matters: China has been extensively involved in the IPCC over the last 37 years, with over 100 Chinese authors contributing to its reports. The AR7 will lay out critical scientific findings that inform international climate negotiations, and it is crucial that it be finalized in time for the Paris Agreement review mechanism to function well.

By Taylah Bland, Fellow on Climate and the Environment, Center for China Analysis (@Taylahbland)

Learn More: Read “Asia’s Climate Puzzle: COP29 and the Path Forward” by ASPI’s Betty Wang.

5. Xi Cautions Against the “System Trap”

What Happened: In Xi Jinping’s latest article on Party governance, he emphasized that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) must operate within a tightly regulated framework governed by strict rules. He also cautioned against the “system trap,” in which a flawed system leads to the creation of other systems to address problems, ultimately resulting in increased complexity and exacerbating existing issues.

Why It Matters: The century-old CCP has over 4,000 regulations for effective governance, and nearly 1,000 of them were revised or newly established under Xi. Xi’s influence on the government priorities announced at the upcoming Two Sessions in March will be closely watched, particularly when it comes to economic development targets and policy changes affecting private firms and foreign investors.

By Lobsang Tsering, Senior Research Associate, Center for China Analysis

Learn More: Find out what to watch for at the Two Sessions in a preview paper by CCA Fellow Neil Thomas and CCA Co-Founder and Managing Director Jing Qian.