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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 Real Estate Crisis: Why the Younger Generation Is Not Buying Houses Anymore

China’s Real Estate Crisis: Why the Younger Generation Is Not Buying Houses Anymore

By Yuan Shi
Between skyrocketing home prices, the housing market debt default crisis, and a shifting culture, China’s younger generation is facing a vastly different housing market than their parents.

Rivers of Influence: How Droughts and Chinese Investment Shape Ecuador’s Energy Crisis

Rivers of Influence: How Droughts and Chinese Investment Shape Ecuador’s Energy Crisis

By Martin Brown
Ecuador’s energy crisis has focused attention on its under-performing hydroelectric dams built by China’s state-owned enterprises.
Syria Is Not One of China’s Strategic Priorities 

Syria Is Not One of China’s Strategic Priorities 

By Dale Aluf
Make no mistake: China's leadership is not happy about the fall of Assad. But compared to Russia and Iran, Beijing had far less at stake.

What COVID-19 Revealed About China and Its Role in the World

What COVID-19 Revealed About China and Its Role in the World

By Nick Carraway
Looking back at China’s response to COVID-19 and the subsequent recovery process.

Defining Taiwan: The Relationship Between Terminology, Context, and Public Opinion

Defining Taiwan: The Relationship Between Terminology, Context, and Public Opinion

By Ben Alperstein
New survey results examine the impact of media framing on policy views.

What’s Driving Taiwan’s Mass Protests?
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What’s Driving Taiwan’s Mass Protests?

Trump Wants China’s Help in Making Peace in Ukraine. He’s Unlikely to Get It.

Trump Wants China’s Help in Making Peace in Ukraine. He’s Unlikely to Get It.

By Stefan Wolff and Tetyana Malyarenko
A carefully managed continuation of the war against Ukraine, by contrast, benefits China in asserting its global leadership.

Is China Waking up to the Dangers of AI?

Is China Waking up to the Dangers of AI?

By Benjamin Dubow
Beijing has thus far taken a more hands-off approach to AI development than might be expected. But as AI’s power becomes clearer, that could soon change.
China Launches New Military Drills Around Taiwan Following Lai’s First Overseas Trip

China Launches New Military Drills Around Taiwan Following Lai’s First Overseas Trip

By Brian Hioe
Responses to the drills, whether from abroad or from the Taiwanese public, were relatively muted.

The CCP’s Antisemitic Experiment

The CCP’s Antisemitic Experiment

By Adam Nelson
China is showing more willingness to stoke ethnic and religious divisions to influence the outcomes of policy debates and elections. 

China Is Watching the Political Disarray in Nations Along the First Island Chain 

China Is Watching the Political Disarray in Nations Along the First Island Chain 

By Hung Tran
It’s not just South Korea; all the U.S. allies along the first island chain are in a period of political turmoil. And China is hoping to benefit.

Amid Political Turmoil, Germany Stresses De-Risking From China

Amid Political Turmoil, Germany Stresses De-Risking From China

By Muhammad Murad
Even as the governing coalition fell apart, Germany’s foreign minister did not shy away from criticizing China during her visit. 
Changing Cadre Incentives: The Untold Story of China’s Economic Challenge

Changing Cadre Incentives: The Untold Story of China’s Economic Challenge

By Zhuoran Li
Changes in the local cadre incentive structure are a crucial yet often overlooked factor in the performance of the Chinese economy.

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