The following excerpt is from an op-ed written by Lizzi C. Lee, Fellow on Chinese Economy at ASPI's Center for China Analysis, and published in Foreign Policy.

When Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang told reporters in Geneva that “a good meal is worth the wait,” it was a moment that stood out—not because the phrase was new, but because he said it in a tone and rhythm that made him sound like a human being. That’s unusual for a Chinese spokesperson. In a system known for rigid talking points and carefully vetted language, the unscripted familiarity of that remark carried weight. That moment is part of a subtle shift in how China’s economic leadership communicates.

Senior officials—particularly those in financial and trade-facing roles—are increasingly adopting a more conversational, measured, and relatable way of speaking in public. In China, this evolution is captured in the phrase “shuo renhua” or “speaking like a human being.”

Read the full op-ed here.