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.
The Iran-Israel Conflict Drives Home the Importance of Gwadar for China
By Kashif Hasan Khan
With traditional shipping lanes from the Gulf in jeopardy, Gwadar Port in Pakistan is once again in focus.
Amid US Trade War, China and the EU Explore Economic Cooperation
By Muhammad Murad
The European Central Bank president's visit to China is the latest sign that Brussels and Beijing are seeking to mend ties.
Dig Deep Enough in Nicaragua, and You’ll Find China
By A. Bermúdez
China-linked companied are quietly expanding their hold on mining concessions in the Central American state.
Rare Earth, Raw Power: How China Plays the Carrot and Stick Game of the Century
By Xinyue Hu and Meng Kit Tang
Beijing is more openly leveraging its control over rare earths, using them both as a stick to pressure geostrategic rivals and as a carrot to incentivize cooperation with partners.
Report: Western Supply Chains Tied to Uyghur Forced Labor in China’s Critical Minerals Boom
By Tasnim Nazeer
“Western governments and companies must urgently confront the reality that many critical mineral supply chains they rely on are underpinned by Uyghur forced labor.”
‘The Eternal Queen of Asian Pop’ Sings One Last Encore From Beyond the Grave
By Xianda Huang
Taiwanese star Teresa Teng died 30 years ago, but her influence endures – precisely because her music transcends Asia’s political fault lines.
Has Brazil Given China Too Much Economic Control?
By Martin Brown
China not only buys more Brazilian exports than any other country, but it also controls production in key areas, from oil to minerals to agriculture.
From the Spanish Peso to the US Dollar: China’s Role in Global Reserve Currencies
By Arlen Agiliga
China’s demand for gold today hearkens back to the 16th century, when Chinese demand for silver ushered in the world’s first period of economic globalization.
China and the Tragedy of Leninist One-Party Politics
By Perry Johansson
The CCP is pulled between the opposing fears of factionalism and one-man rule – both of which stem from the inherent features of a Leninist system like China’s.
Amid the Trade War, the CCP Is Converting Hardship Into Power
By Tang Meng Kit and Zi Yang
The real test for the CCP is not whether it can survive economic hardship, but whether it can continue to extract legitimacy from suffering and sacrifice.
When Mistakes Need a Manual: China’s Guidance on Acceptable Decision-making
By Deborah Lehr
China’s focus on anti-corruption has paralyzed local leaders. The CCP is attempting to address the issue through new rules that aim to regulate the realm of error.
In Chinese Discussions of Pakistan, Balochistan – Not Kashmir – Dominates
By Antara Ghosal Singh
Most of the world failed to notice that the BLA conducted several attacks during the India-Pakistan tensions of May 2025. China, however, was paying close attention.
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