Cai Qi, a Politburo Standing Committee member and secretary of the Central Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), visited experts vacationing in Beidaihe, signaling the possible start of the CCP’s annual “vacation-style gathering” in Beidaihe. While unresolved political issues within China currently draw attention, analysts anticipate that the focus of the Beidaihe meeting will still be on the economic situation and international relations.
The state-run Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday (August 3) that Cai Qi, on behalf of the CCP Central Committee and the State Council, extended greetings to 57 experts participating in vacation activities. This signifies the first report of CCP leaders visiting experts in Beidaihe after three years and indicates the impending “Beidaihe Time”.
Traditionally, Beidaihe has been a summer resort for China’s top leaders. Although the summer office system was canceled in 2003, the tradition of current and former leaders vacationing in Beidaihe continues, where they also gather to discuss pressing issues.
This year, as the Beidaihe meeting is about to begin, China’s economy faces significant pressure, and there are notable political topics at hand. The reasons behind the removal of China’s former Foreign Minister Qin Gang are still unclear, and rumors about a corruption scandal in China’s Rocket Force are prevalent.
Analysts point out that while economic work for the second half of the year is expected to be the main topic of the Beidaihe meeting, geopolitical tensions and China’s relations with the U.S., Russia, Japan, South Korea, and Europe will also be key points of attention.
While some argue that with the centralization of power within the CCP in recent years, the Beidaihe meeting has become less significant, others believe it still serves as an important platform for top leaders to gather opinions and formulate decisions during their vacation.