Latest news with #XiMingze
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Xi Mingze, daughter of Chinese President Xi Jinping claimed to be living in the US
It's rare for a young woman who has never held office, given interviews, or appeared on social media to become the center of a geopolitical flashpoint. But Xi Mingze, the only daughter of , has found herself precisely there — not because of what she's said or done publicly, but because of where she might be: back in the United States. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Her name has re-emerged in headlines amid escalating US-China tensions, particularly surrounding the visa status of Chinese students. In a pointed move, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States will begin 'aggressively' revoking the visas of Chinese nationals with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying in 'critical fields.' Beijing responded with outrage. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told AFP on Thursday: 'The US has unreasonably cancelled Chinese students' visas under the pretext of ideology and national rights. China firmly opposes this and has lodged representations with the US.' This diplomatic friction has drawn renewed attention to Xi Mingze, who, according to a swirl of reports and political claims, may currently be residing in Massachusetts — under the protection of Chinese bodyguards and, allegedly, with the knowledge or assistance of U.S. authorities. What reignited the interest The latest storm began with a post on X (formerly Twitter) by far-right commentator and Donald Trump ally Laura Loomer, who claimed that Xi Mingze is 'living in Massachusetts' under Chinese Communist Party security. The claim was not substantiated with evidence, but it picked up steam online, drawing renewed scrutiny over whether the Chinese leader's daughter is residing in the same country her government frequently clashes with. The speculation is not entirely new. In 2022, former US Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler claimed during a congressional hearing that 'Xi Jinping's daughter is living in America.' At the time, Hartzler was pushing for legislation called the 'Protecting Higher Education from the Chinese Communist Party Act.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now That same year, a Chinese political commentator based in the U.S. reiterated Hartzler's statement on his YouTube channel and added that Xi Mingze had returned to the U.S. in 2019 after spending several years in China. According to a report by ANI, the commentator believes Xi is still living in the Cambridge area and is currently a research student. So, Who Is Xi Mingze? Xi Mingze was born on June 25, 1992, in Fuzhou, Fujian province, and is the only child of Xi Jinping and the First Lady, Peng Liyuan — a celebrated Chinese folk singer and now China's First Lady. According to Newsweek, Xi Mingze was raised in a politically prominent household, attending elite institutions like Beijing Jingshan School and Hangzhou Foreign Language School, where she studied French. She enrolled at Harvard University in 2010 under a pseudonym to protect her identity and privacy. According to Business Insider, she graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and English. The Taiwanese press, as cited by Business Insider, also claimed that Xi was under 24/7 surveillance by Chinese bodyguards, reportedly with assistance from the FBI during her time at the Ivy League university. 'She studied all the time,' said Asahi Shimbun correspondent Kenji Minemura in an interview with The New Yorker in 2015, offering rare insight into her lifestyle during her stay in the U.S. A life kept deliberately out of sight Xi Mingze has maintained an extremely low public profile. Her only widely reported public appearances were in 2008, when she volunteered in Hanwang, Mianzhu for disaster relief after the Sichuan earthquake — and in 2013, when she was photographed with her parents during Chinese New Year celebrations in Liangjiahe village, Shaanxi. Her privacy is so zealously guarded by the Chinese government that in 2019, a man named Niu Tengyu was sentenced to 14 years in prison for allegedly publishing personal information about Xi Mingze and other senior Communist Party leaders online. The sentence was widely viewed as a harsh signal of the government's zero-tolerance policy toward breaches of the first family's confidentiality. WantChinaTimes, a Taiwanese publication, once described her as 'a low-key and easy-going girl, who counts reading and fashion among her hobbies.' Why her location matters The renewed attention on Xi Mingze isn't just tabloid fodder — it's politically explosive. Her possible presence in the United States while Chinese students with lesser connections are being barred, scrutinized, or deported, raises difficult questions for both Beijing and Washington. On one hand, her presence underscores the Chinese elite's enduring reliance on Western education, even as China increasingly positions itself in opposition to U.S. values and policies. On the other hand, for critics of the Chinese Communist Party, her speculated presence in Massachusetts is being held up as a glaring double standard — one that exposes vulnerabilities in the U.S.'s handling of foreign influence and elite privilege.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
How mainstream media kept falling for a fake image of Xi Jinping's daughter
An image purporting to show Xi Mingze, the reclusive daughter of Chinese President Xi Jinping, walking a red carpet at a UN fashion event has circulated widely online, even appearing in reputable outlets like Newsweek and The Times. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now At first glance, the story seemed plausible. However, a detailed investigation by X user @echetus revealed the photo was a case of mistaken identity. The resulting inquiry exposed sloppy media verification and the dangers of blindly trusting image agencies. Here's how the story unravelled—and what it says about journalism in the digital age. Xi Mingze's fake image that fooled everyone The photograph was taken at the 2018 'Fashion 4 Development' First Lady's Luncheon in New York, a high-profile UN-backed event attended by diplomats' spouses. Getty and Alamy published the image, claiming the younger woman was Xi Mingze and the older was Peng Liyuan. With no verified adult images of Xi Mingze in public circulation, the photo seemed plausible. Mainstream media outlets used it without deeper verification, trusting the provided metadata. Why the image looked credible Xi Mingze is deliberately shielded from public view. Her name in Chinese, returns no search results on major platforms in China due to strict state censorship. No verified adult photos of her exist. So when a rare, polished image surfaced—apparently showing her next to someone resembling her mother—it passed as credible, especially with well-known sources attaching names to faces. This illusion of authenticity led many to accept it at face value. The red flags and the investigation An X user @echetus, a stakeholder consultant, decided to examine the image more closely. While initial identification seemed sound, the woman labeled as Peng Liyuan clearly didn't match known photos of the First Lady. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Similar ethnicity and hairstyle aside, the differences in facial structure were apparent. Further research led @echetus to a Shutterstock listing from the same event, where the women were identified differently. The older woman was actually Noelle Kwok, a U.S. State Department official and decorated public servant. The real identity behind 'Xi Mingze' Shutterstock identified the younger woman not as Xi Mingze, but as Fi (Catherine) Chen. While the name 'Fi' is uncommon in Pinyin, it's likely a nickname or a Westernized form. Little is publicly known about her, but importantly, there is no indication of any link to Xi Jinping's family. The case was one of mistaken identity, may be unintentional, but significant. How the misidentification happened The likely cause was initial metadata confusion. It's not uncommon for early errors in naming or tagging to propagate through syndication networks. Photo agencies and publishers often rely on metadata provided at the time of image upload, especially during fast-paced events. In this case, a mistake appears to have been copied across platforms without deliberate intent. As @echetus noted, this also reflects the deeper challenge of implicit bias, where individuals of the same ethnicity may be mistaken for one another based on superficial traits. The consequences of misidentification This incident shows how quickly a narrative can gain traction when visual proof appears to support it. Even major outlets can unknowingly reinforce misinformation when operating on metadata alone. Without cross-checking or consulting event organizers, an image of two unrelated women was seen worldwide as evidence of Xi Jinping's daughter making a rare public appearance. The diligent investigation, the narrative was corrected before it spread further. It's a reminder that images, even those from reliable sources, require independent verification. This case touches on broader issues: algorithmic metadata errors, assumptions rooted in appearance, and the fragility of trust in the media ecosystem. Xi Mingze remains a figure shrouded in intentional privacy—and for now, the world must rely on facts, not false sightings.
Independent Singapore
02-06-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
America vs China: An avoidable war despite Thucydides' Trap
American soft power extends even to Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping's family. His daughter, Xi Mingze, his only child, did not study at Tsinghua University like him but graduated from Harvard in 2014. He visited the United States several times, most notably in 1985, when, as a young provincial official, he spent two weeks in Iowa learning about American farming methods and stayed with an American family for three days. Yet, under his leadership, US-China tensions have escalated to the highest level since the early 1950s Korean War, when American soldiers fought the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). As during the Korean War, America is urging other countries to contain China. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth appealed to Asian nations to increase defence spending. However, it was not a call to arms. As noted by Singapore's Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing, Hegseth specifically said: 'We do not seek war … we do not seek to dominate or strangle China, to encircle or provoke. We do not seek regime change, nor will we instigate or disrespect a proud and historic culture.' Indeed, what the Americans are trying to do is contain China without confronting it militarily. From strict export controls on advanced technology to attempts to diversify supply chains, Washington is trying to curb Beijing's economic power and reduce dependence on China. Beijing may see it as an act of hostility. But its own actions – from expanding its naval presence to wooing other nations with investments under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) — are challenging the status quo, undermining Pax Americana. See also China's Path Not Taken In Kevin Rudd's view Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd worries the tensions between the two countries may spill into bloody hostilities in what he calls an 'avoidable war'. That is the title of his book: The Avoidable War. The 2020s are 'the decade of living dangerously', he writes, the fallout unimaginable if the two countries go to war. According to him, 'armed conflict between China and the United States, while not yet probable, has become a real possibility'. He urges the two countries to take steps to avert war, like America and the former Soviet Union did after the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Indeed, as the Cold War demonstrated, superpower rivalry does not inevitably end in war. America and the former Soviet Union waged proxy wars, backing warring nations and rival leaders, but refrained from all-out war. There were military confrontations in Cuba and Berlin, but not gory battles. See also Australia says Xi's caring rhetoric does not match actions Will America and China follow the same course – geopolitical rivals but not warring enemies? Thucydides' Trap The danger that could trip them into full-scale war is called Thucydides' Trap. Named after the ancient Greek historian and Athenian general Thucydides, Thucydides' Trap is a concept popularised by the American political scientist Graham Allison. Discussed by Rudd and the animating idea behind an entire book by Allison, Thucydides' Trap is the hostilities unleashed when a rising power tries to displace a ruling power. Thucydides mentioned the phenomenon In his History of the Peloponnesian War. 'It was the rise of Athens and the fear that this instilled in Sparta that made war inevitable,' he wrote. The fifth-century BC Peloponnesian War was fought between Athens and Sparta and their allies, which included virtually every Greek city-state. It was the result of the then-dominant Sparta's fear of the growing might of Athens. Sparta eventually vanquished Athens after two decades of warfare. Thucydides' Trap is central to Allison's book, Destined for War, about America and China. The Harvard political scientist compares China's growing power to that of Athens before the Peloponnesian War. As Athens grew in importance, Sparta reacted with 'fear, insecurity, and a determination to defend the status quo'. The ensuing Peloponnesian War 'brought ancient Greece to its knees'. War is not inevitable between America and China, says Allison, but only if their leaders alter course. According to Allison, 'If Hollywood were making a movie pitting China against America on the path to war, central casting could not find two better leading actors than Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. Each personifies his country's deep aspirations of national greatness.' But a collision could be averted. 'If Xi and Trump listened to Lee Kuan Yew, they would focus first on what matters most: their domestic problems,' says Allison. Yes, Singapore's founding father, according to the Harvard scholar, could still mentor global leaders from beyond the grave. Featured image is from the Destined For War book cover
NDTV
02-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Xi Mingze: All About Xi Jinping's Daughter And Why She Is In News
Xi Mingze, the only daughter of Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan, has been in news due to reports suggesting she may have returned to the United States to resume studies at Harvard University. News outlets picked up the story after a far-right political commentator Laura Loomer, also an ally of US President Donald Trump, claimed in a post on X that Xi "lives in Massachusetts" under the security cover of CCP guards. Here's what is known about Xi Mingze. Early Life and Education Born on 25 June 1992 in Fuzhou, Fujian province, Xi Mingze was raised in a politically prominent family, according to Newsweek. She attended Beijing Jingshan School and Hangzhou Foreign Language School, where she studied French. In 2010, she enrolled at Harvard University under a pseudonym to maintain privacy, graduating in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. Public Appearances and Philanthropy Xi's public appearances have been rare. Following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, she volunteered for a week in Hanwang, Mianzhu, participating in disaster relief efforts. In 2013, she made a public appearance with her parents in Liangjiahe village, Yan'an, Shaanxi, offering Chinese New Year greetings to locals. "She studied all the time," Asahi Shimbun correspondent Kenji Minemura told New Yorker in 2015 about Xi's previous US stay. Privacy and Media Attention Xi Mingze has maintained a life away from the public eye. Her privacy has been a subject of intense protection by Chinese authorities. In 2019, a man named Niu Tengyu was arrested for allegedly leaking personal information about Xi online. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, highlighting the government's commitment to safeguarding her privacy. Potential Future Role Speculation about Xi Mingze's future role in Chinese politics exists, given her family's prominence. However, there is no public indication of her political ambitions.
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Daughters' day? Not. MAGA takes aim at daughters of Carney and Xi
The TOI correspondent in Washington: Daughters of Canada's prime minister Mark Carney and China's leader Xi Jinping are among Harvard students being targeted for expulsion by MAGA principals amid the Trump administration's drive to tame liberal US universities seen as being out of sync with the current White House outlook. MAGA-aligned outlets reported over the weekend that the Trump administration is examining the prospect of expelling Carney's daughter Cleo, a social studies major at Harvard with a record of liberal activism. She was reportedly arrested at a pro-Palestinian rally in London some months ago, and although she has been flying under the radar at Harvard, the fact that she introduced her father at the Liberal Party convention in March 2025 and is active in environmental advocacy, is sufficient to trigger MAGA, which has taken the cue from its supremo Trump to attack Canada and all things Canadian. Also in the MAGA crosshairs is Xi Mingze, daughter of China's leader Xi JInping, who graduated from Harvard under a pseudonym in 2014 with B.A. in psychology and is said to have returned to the institution recently for higher studies. MAGA trolls have been casing the university and social media for signs of Xi Mingze presence amid growing antipathy towards foreign students, particularly Chinese. The "womanhunt" involving the leaders of Canada and China comes on the heels of the Trump administration's blanket ban on foreign students coming to Harvard, leaving current students to transfer to other colleges or risk losing their visa status. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo 'They (Harvard) have lost their Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law,' Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted said last week, adding, 'Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country. ' Separately, MAGA trolls continued to attack Megha Vemuri, an Indian-American undergrad who attacked MIT's ties with the Israeli military and expressed support for the besieged in Gaza during her commencement speech, triggering MIT to ban her from the graduating ceremony. "MIT supports free expression but can't allow anyone in disrupting an important Institute ceremony," the school said, even as Vemuri found vocal support from the liberal spectrum. Although the Trump administration's crackdown on Harvard and other liberal schools was ostensibly aimed at curtailing on-campus political activism by foreign students, particularly against Israel, the repression has taken on broader contours. There is now an all-out MAGA movement against students from across the world with the argument foreign students are "stealing" seats and jobs that should go to Americans first. Foreign students are coveted by American academia, both for the moolah ($ 44 billion) and mental acuity they bring in. It is generally acknowledged that education, not guns or butter, has been America's greatest export. Even moderate Republicans are aghast by the MAGA venom against international students. "Shutting out foreign students from @Harvard, the best university in the world, is a huge mistake. We lose their brainpower and the way they challenge and inspire our own students," former Ohio Governor John Kasich said last week, noting that many alumni return home as leaders with a deeper understanding of America. and that benefits the US. Prominent Indians who graduated from Harvard include Anand Mahindra, Rahul Bajaj, P. Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal, and Naina Lal Kidwai. Hundreds more have attended executive courses at Harvard to hone their leadership skills.
