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Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to North Korea from October 9 to 11 has ignited heated debate online, with many observers accusing him of displaying a “loss of national dignity.” His meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was widely described as a “humiliating encounter.”

During the talks, Li sat on one side of a long conference table accompanied by his delegation, while Kim sat alone on the opposite side with only an interpreter. The arrangement, reminiscent of a supreme leader receiving subordinates’ reports, sharply contrasted with Kim’s previous meetings with Russian and Vietnamese visitors, where both sides were seated with their full teams. Commentators also noted that Li appeared nervous and deferential in front of Kim.

A video clip circulating online purportedly shows Li bidding farewell to Kim. In the footage, Kim kept his hands in his pockets and repeatedly turned away to speak with aides, offering only a brief nod at the end. Kim maintained a stern expression throughout, while Li stood with his arms at his sides, seemingly waiting for instructions. As his motorcade departed, Li waved repeatedly from his car, but Kim responded with just a single wave before turning away.

The footage drew widespread ridicule on Chinese social media. Some netizens wrote, “He’s still a national premier – how could he appear so submissive before a dictator? This is the most humiliating moment for a Chinese premier since the founding of the PRC.” Others mocked, “A great-power premier acting like a servant before a beggar boss.”

Some commentators, however, suggested that Li’s behavior was deliberate. They argued that Chinese diplomatic interactions are typically choreographed in advance, and Li must have known about the one-sided setup beforehand. His compliance reflected a calculated act of self-preservation. As Kim had recently reviewed troops alongside Xi Jinping and Putin, the hierarchy was clear: Xi and Kim were the masters, while Li was merely the servant – even when he was abroad. Sitting as an equal beside Kim would instead get Li Qiang into big trouble.

Sources:
1. Epoch Times, October 13, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/25/10/13/n14614984.htm
2. Epoch Times, October 15, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/25/10/15/n14616527.htm
3. Pincong
https://pincong.rocks/article/88792

On September 29, the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held its 22nd collective study session on advancing the Sinicization of religion in China, chaired by Xi Jinping. Xi emphasized that this initiative is essential for promoting “religious harmony, ethnic unity, social harmony, and national stability,” framing it as a core requirement for aligning religion with socialist society under the CCP’s leadership.

He called for strengthening the “Five Identifications” – with the motherland, the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the CCP, and socialism with Chinese characteristics – and urged active participation in “Chinese-style modernization.” Xi stressed that religious groups should incorporate “Chinese characteristics” into their doctrines, rituals, management systems, and behavioral norms, while improving self-education, self-management, and self-discipline.

Sources:
1. Xinhua, September 29, 2025
http://www.news.cn/politics/leaders/20250929/3b3cbf337a0640e1b2ef7548ff095a1b/c.html
2. Central News Agency (Taiwan), September 29, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202509290202.aspx

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is implementing a strategy in Xinjiang known as “文化润疆” – often translated as “Cultural Enrichment of Xinjiang” or “Cultural Assimilation of Xinjiang”.

Recently, Xi Jinping attended the 70th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, stressing the comprehensive implementation of the CCP’s governance strategy for Xinjiang in the “new era.” He called for strengthening the “sense of a unified Chinese national community,” promoting the Sinicization of religion, and advancing “Cultural Enrichment of Xinjiang” to instill what the Party calls “correct views” on nation, history, ethnicity, culture, and religion among all ethnic groups.

Articles in People’s Daily and Huanqiu Times frame this policy as a core part of the CCP’s national strategy, describing it as a program of cultural and linguistic assimilation. Beijing has mandated Mandarin language instruction and standardized national curricula even in minority regions, framing language as a central element of cultural identity and political loyalty.

Critics argue this policy constitutes a systematic program of cultural and demographic colonization, eroding Uyghur traditions, language, and identity. They contend that since Xi Jinping assumed power, the destruction of Uyghur culture has intensified to an all-encompassing stage, including the forced indoctrination of Uyghur children into Han Chinese culture – a process many describe as cultural genocide.

Sources:
1. People’s Daily, September 30, 2025
http://theory.people.com.cn/n1/2025/0930/c40531-40575275.html
2. Huanqiu Times, September 29, 2025
https://opinion.huanqiu.com/article/4OWmkjoHiUB
3. Uyghur Human Rights Project
https://chinese.uhrp.org/insights/中国以＂文化润疆＂加速殖民化的种族灭绝/