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 Steps up the Long March to 5G
By John Lee
As the U.S. increases pressure on technology exports, China's race for self-sufficiency becomes more urgent.
Will Internet Celebrities Become China’s New Channel for Projecting Soft Power?
By Jo Kim
Can the CCP co-opt the popularity of social media darlings like Li Ziqi without running their global appeal?
‘No Remedy, No Rights’: China Blocks Foreigners from Leaving
By Associated Press
Children, a pregnant woman, and a pastor — all with foreign passports — have been banned from leaving China in recent years.
China’s Strategy for Hollowing out Hong Kong
By Simon Shen
Beijing’s fixation on national security legislation is an alarming signal for Hong Kong’s future.
The Chinese People Step up to Enforce China’s Nationalist Propaganda
By Jo Kim
Other countries need to take hyper-nationalistic rhetoric seriously, as it is both a top-down and bottom-up phenomenon.
Canada and the US-China Geopolitical Tug of War
By Aadil Brar
The latest news in the Meng Wanzhou case barely registered amid COVID-19.
As COVID-19 Loses Steam, Hong Kong Protests Heat Up
By Associated Press
Dwindling case counts, coupled with Beijing’s latest moves to consolidate control over the city, have protesters braving in-person demonstrations yet again.
Will COVID-19 Be a Blessing in Disguise for the Belt and Road?
By Xianbai Ji
The hiatus afforded by COVID-19 provides an opportunity for China to contemplate ways to bring about an improved BRI 2.0.
COVID-19 Brings Cross-Strait Relations to a Crossroads
By Chieh-chi Hsieh
Even more than Tsai’s landslide re-election, the outbreak spells major trouble for the CCP’s unification agenda.
China Sets Date for ‘Two Sessions’ in Latest Move Toward Post-COVID Normal
By Associated Press
The annual sessions of the National People’s Congress and CPPCC, originally slated for March, will now take place in late May.
China’s Digital Cultural Revolution
By Johanna M. Costigan and Xu Xin
Hyper-nationalist online attacks, like the campaign against Fang Fang, have disturbing parallels to the Mao era.
COVID-19: A ‘Reckoning’ for UK-China Relations?
By Niall Gray
“China hawks” are gaining strength as the United Kingdom struggles with the fallout of the new coronavirus.