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.
Chinese Nationalism: The Dog That Barks in the Night
By Kerry Brown
Chinese nationalism is often talked about as dangerous. But what, exactly, is the threat?
Why Didn’t China Honor Its World War I Dead?
By Bonnie Girard
Skipping the Armistice Day ceremonies in Paris was a missed opportunity for Xi Jinping.
What Taiwan’s Upcoming Elections Will Tell Us About Its Future
By Nick Aspinwall
The vote is set to serve as a referendum on Tsai Ing-wen’s anti-China stance. Challengers are picking up steam.
For China, How Much Will the Outcome of the US Mid-Term Elections Matter?
By Dingding Chen
There may be brief respite for Beijing, but long-term competition isn't going anywhere.
Why Is Transparency So Important for China’s Development Assistance?
By Zhang Chao
The lack of transparency only given strength to China’s critics and tied its own hands.
What Does the 1992 Consensus Mean to Citizens in Taiwan?
By Austin Wang, Charles K.S. Wu, Yao-Yuan Yeh, & Fang-Yu Chen
Hint: it’s not what either Taiwan or China think it means.
The Belt and Road in Victoria: No Big Deal
By Jacinta Keast
The furor over Victoria’s MoU with China overlooks that – in Beijing's eyes – the BRI is already at work in Australia.
Ahead of Xi-Trump G20 Meeting, Xi Meets Foreign Policy Guru Kissinger
By Charlotte Gao
Xi told Kissinger that China and the United States must have accurate judgments of each other's strategic intentions.
What President Bolsonaro Means for China-Brazil Relations
By Guy Burton
Will Jair Bolsonaro’s tough talk on China translate into policy?
Xinjiang Detention Camp or Vocational Center: Is China ‘Calling A Deer A Horse’?
By Charlotte Gao
China defends its Xinjiang policy during the UN Human Rights Council’s universal periodic review.
Beijing Bars Independent Intellectuals From Attending Harvard Events on China’s Reform and Opening
By Charlotte Gao
While Chinese leaders vow to deepen reform and opening-up, the Chinese government seems to be doing the opposite.
Is a Thaw Coming in US-China Relations?
By Shannon Tiezzi
There are hopeful signs on several fronts, from trade issues to security ties.
In Buying From The World, What Messages Is China Sending?
By Wang Shanshan
The CIIE is a sign of China’s commitment to opening up and boosting consumer-led growth.
China Opens First Import Expo With Veiled Warning to Trump
By Shannon Tiezzi
Globalization cannot be stopped by anyone, Xi warned as he welcomed other countries to boost exports to China.
How Do Chinese Netizens View the US-China Trade War?
By Chuchu Zhang and Chaowei Xiao
Most Chinese netizens aren’t overly concerned about the trade tensions with the United States.
The Common Goal of Donald Trump and Xi Jinping: ‘Drain The Swamp’
By Bonnie Girard
Could an anti-corruption mission provide the common ground Trump and Xi need to break the trade deadlock?
China's Number of Births Just Keeps Dropping
By Shannon Tiezzi
The two-child policy is helping, but not enough to turn the tide of a looming demographic crisis.
Is China Losing the Opportunity to Lead?
By Robert Dujarric
Domestic developments hinder the emergence of a Chinese Dream with appeal overseas.
The Great Debate: Chiang Kai-shek's Role in 21st Century Taiwan
By James X. Morris
As transitional justice moves forward in Taiwan, references to its authoritarian past are being removed or vandalized.
Does China Still Want to Be a Global Environmental Leader?
By Li Shuo
Amid tensions with the United States, there are dark clouds ahead of China’s climate agenda.
Amid US-China Tensions, Xi and Abe to Meet in Beijing
By Charlotte Gao
Abe plans to end Japan’s official development aid to China and sign business deals with Beijing.
Is the Crown Jewel of the Belt and Road Losing Its Shine?
By Shannon Tiezzi
A new report suggests that Pakistan’s new government is rethinking CPEC. What does that mean for the whole BRI?
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge: White Elephant in the Pearl River
By Martin Sebena
The bridge will never recover its costs. Hardly anyone can drive on it. So why was it built?
Why Did Xi Jinping Visit Manchuria?
By Chi Wang
The region is both central to Chinese history and all-too-often overlooked by Chinese governments.