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 Third Plenum Wants to Raise Household Income. That’s Good News for the US.
By Fuxian Yi
Planned reforms could indirectly help balance China-U.S. trade by boosting consumption, thereby reducing political hostility between the two major powers.
Taiwan President Urges Democracies to Unite at Largest-ever Gathering of Foreign Lawmakers in Taipei
By Dake Kang
Taiwan's President Lai said at the conference that Taiwan would work with other democracies to protect democracy from “the threat of authoritarian expansionism.”
Lawmakers From 6 Countries Say Beijing Is Pressuring Them Not to Attend Conference in Taiwan
By Dake Kang
This year, the first in which the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China’s annual meeting is taking place in Taiwan, there appeared to be a coordinated attempt to stop participants from attending.
China’s Ambitious Efforts to Expand its Influence in the Israel-Palestine Issue
By Anmol Kumar and Hari Yadav G
The Beijing Declaration should be viewed as evidence of China’s increasing eagerness to position itself as a prominent mediator in West Asian affairs.
From Hero to Zero: Fake-Fueled Patriotic Marketing on Chinese Social Media Platforms
By Xue Zhang and Zizheng Yu
In May 2024, Chinese company Xiang Piao Piao saw profits surge overnight by mocking Japan’s releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater. But its supposed stand was all a ruse.
Did Dmytro Kuleba’s Visit Start a New Chapter in China-Ukraine Relations?
By Björn Alexander Düben
There are reasons for Kyiv to hope that Beijing might eventually push Moscow for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. However, Kuleba’s visit to China has not been a decisive step in this direction.
Why China Isn’t Ready (Yet) to Mediate a Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal
By Andrew Devine
Even though it is in China’s interest to lead a peace deal in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the benefit of waiting for the strategically optimal time outweighs the potential risks.
China Mediates a New Era of Palestinian Unity
By Mohamad Zreik
After talks in Beijing, Fatah, Hamas, and other factions have agreed to form a unified government representing Palestine.
What the Third Plenum Means for China’s Decarbonization Effort
By Chris Hankin
As the share of renewables grows, China is shifting from controlling energy consumption to controlling carbon emissions specifically.
China: A Silent Ally Protecting Venezuela’s Maduro
By Carlos Eduardo Piña
The unconditional political, diplomatic and economic support offered by Beijing has been key to keeping the Bolivarian regime in power, from Chavez to Maduro.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Seeks ‘Common Ground’ With China in Talks on Ending War With Russia
By Ken Moritsugu
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is making his first visit to China since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
China’s Third Plenum Offers Little Hope for a Flagging Economy
By Donald Low
The Third Plenum outcome suggests a mismatch between what the Chinese economy needs to recover quickly and what policymakers are prepared to deliver.