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.
International Airlines Leave China, Despite Beijing’s Urging
By Bonnie Girard
The closure of Russian airspace to many Western airlines is further complicating the situation as China tries to woo international airlines back.
China Unveils Ambitious 5-Year Plan to Overhaul the Hukou System
By Lizzi C. Lee
China aims to dismantle the hukou system and integrate rural migrants into urban economies, but challenges of infrastructure, resources, and social resistance loom large.
China Breaks With Latin America and BRICS Allies Over Venezuela Election Fraud
By Paul Hare
China’s unquestioning support of the Maduro government in Venezuela is out of step with its ambitions in the rest of Latin America.
Having It Both Ways: Third Plenum Promises Reforms and Doubles Down On Xi’s Grand Vision
By Katja Drinhausen, Max J. Zenglein, and Rebecca Arcesati
The key meeting of the CCP’s Central Committee strengthened Xi and will likely disappoint citizens and the private sector.
For Discontented Chinese Netizens, the Charm of the Olympics Is Wearing off
By Yaqiu Wang
Many users see little to celebrate amid growing social, economic, and political constraints at home.
Crucial July Politburo Meeting Conveys Rare Sense of Urgency for China’s Leaders
By Lizzi C. Lee
The CCP leadership pledged to prioritize domestic consumption and demand, but markets remain skeptical.
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.