China | And then there were none

China’s problem with female representation is getting worse

Why there are no women on the Politburo

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 22: Chinese delegates leave the closing session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, at The Great Hall of People on October 22, 2022 in Beijing, China. China's Communist Party Congress is concluding today with incumbent President Xi Jinping expected to seal a third term in power. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Oct 27th 2022|BEIJING

In the 1980s Chen Muhua was one of China’s few female leaders at the national level, holding positions such as deputy prime minister. Later, as chair of the All-China Women’s Federation, a Communist Party-led body, she expressed dissatisfaction with the number of women in government—and promised that reforms would bring new opportunities. They have not. So in his report to the party congress on October 16th, President Xi Jinping echoed Chen’s promises, saying he would select and cultivate female officials.

This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline “Too few at the top”