The South China Morning Post (March 10) reported that He Yiting, former Executive Vice President of the Central Party School and a close associate of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has warned against the rise of domestic nationalism while tensions between China and major powers were rising. He said “(China should) continue to expand opening-up, actively and prudently handle relations with major countries, and prevent the rise of domestic populism.” He Yiting made the remarks during discussions on March 5, with the Chongqing delegation at the NPC session . His comment comes in the backdrop of the sharp deterioration in relations between Beijing and Washington during the Trump administration and rise in nationalist sentiment in China as Beijing confronts the US, Europe, and other countries over issues such as Hong Kong, Xinjiang and the South China Sea. Zhu Lijia, a Professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance, said domestic nationalism was on the rise as China faced challenges from other nations.

(Comment: While other Chinese officials and academics have been warning that the rise in nationalism could backfire both inside the nation and abroad, it is the first time that someone of He Yiting’s stature has made such comments.)