Blog
China Power
China's rise inspires a mix of awe, fear and skepticism. But what will its global role be? Are we on the brink of a bipolar world? How will its neighbors respond? Will it all come crashing down? The Diplomat's daily China blog will try to find some answers.
China’s Zombie East China Sea Policy
By Denny Roy
The decade-old approach is failing to gain any substantial benefit, while maximizing the chances of an accidental war that Beijing does not want.
Multilateralism and China’s Hedging Strategy
By Kaize ZHU
Nations – including China – hedge to secure their interests in an increasingly multipolar world.
China Gives Suspended Death Sentence to Chinese Australian Democracy Blogger
By Ken Moritsugu and Keiran Smith
Yang Hengjun has been in detention for over five years, despite frequent complaints from the Australian government. Now he's been found guilty of espionage.
China’s Quiet Move Toward Moderation
By Robert Sutter
Rhetorically, China is standing firm as the U.S. leads a hardening of policy toward Beijing. But its actions reveal a new willingness to compromise.
A New Era for China’s Overseas Anti-Corruption Campaign
By Chi Yin
In an apparent first, China has convicted two people for bribing foreign officials. The high-profile judgment sends a clear signal: the time has come to exercise extraterritorial jurisdiction.
The Non-consensus Consensus of Taiwan’s Election
By Sasha Chhabra
While there is plenty of daylight between the DPP and KMT, the two parties have converged on remarkably similar positions with regards to national sovereignty.
Major Automakers May Be Using Chinese Aluminum Produced With Uyghur Forced Labor
By Simina Mistreanu
A new report from Human Rights Watch links some of the world's largest car manufacturers to aluminum allegedly produced with forced labor by Uyghurs.
KMT’s Han Kuo-yu Is Taiwan’s New Legislative Speaker
By Brian Hioe
The KMT's failed 2020 presidential candidate will hold the reins of the legislature, even while the DPP keeps the presidency.
China Welcomes a Taliban Ambassador to Beijing
By Freshta Jalalzai
While still short of formal diplomatic recognition, the move is part of a trend of growing engagement driven by the strategic interests of both sides.
China Ties Work to Bukele’s Advantage in El Salvador’s Upcoming Election
By Carlos Eduardo Piña
China’s economic model is attractive, and Bukele has been skilled at courting Chinese engagement to boost his popularity at home.
Hong Kong Begins Work on Its Own National Security Law After Beijing’s Version Crushed Dissent
By Kanis Leung and Zen Soo
Critics worry authorities will use a local national security law as another tool to crack down on dissidents, building on the law imposed by Beijing in 2020.
Taiwan’s Election Has Big Ramifications for Energy Security
By Yicheng Zhang and Morgan Peirce
Taiwan’s president-elect has a chance to reverse the government’s self-destructive nuclear phase-out.