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.
Bridging the Narrative Gap in China-US Relations
By Vu Le Thai Hoang and Ngo Di Lan
States regularly tell stories about themselves and how the world works. Chinese and American narratives – including about the Biden-Xi summit – remain at odds.
Silenced in China, Grassroots Activists Commemorate the White Paper Protests Abroad
By Yaqiu Wang
A year after the massive demonstrations against draconian lockdown rules, participants have an abiding new sense of strength and responsibility.
The Rise and Fall of Confucius Institutes in the US
By Bonnie Girard
Will the controversial Chinese government-funded programs rise again under another name?
How the Taiwan Opposition Alliance Talks Fell Apart
By Brian Hioe
The pan-Blue camp’s attempt to settle on a unity ticket came crashing down last week in an embarrassing televised spectacle.
Xie Zhenhua’s Swan Song Amid the Geopolitics of COP28
By Sacha Shaw
This year’s United Nations climate change conference is expected to be the last for China’s veteran climate envoy.
Major Changes at China’s Foreign Ministry
By KAWASHIMA Shin
A Chinese “diplomat” today is no longer someone who conducts diplomacy, but is rather a faithful envoy who spreads Xi Jinping diplomatic thought to the world.
Arctic Ambitions: China’s Engagement With the Northern Sea Route
By Tiago Tecelão Martins
As climate change makes the Arctic shipping route more feasible, China is leaning in.
The West Shouldn’t Forget China’s Pro-Russia Neutrality
By Joseph Webster
The China-U.S. leaders’ meeting in San Francisco was constructive, but DC and Brussels shouldn’t forget Beijing’s enduring pro-Putin stance.
What’s in the New Amendments to China’s State Secrets Law?
By Anushka Saxena
China’s legislature is considering the first changes to the law since 2010.
Can Xi Jinping Achieve His Ambitions After the Biden-Xi Summit?
By Jianli Yang
Xi’s transformation from “wolf warrior” to “panda” was more about what came after the summit: a major gathering with American CEOs.
Taiwan Opposition’s Bid for a Unity Ticket Collapses
By Brian Hioe
An announced breakthrough proved short-lived, as the two sides weren't able to agree on how to weight polls for determining the presidential candidate.
The Power – and Limits – of Xi Jinping
By Zhuoran Li
Xi may have more power than any Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, but even he can’t fully implement his policy preferences.