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 3rd Belt and Road Forum Finally Gets a Date
By Shannon Tiezzi
The big event is happening October 17and 18. The question now is: who will show up?
China’s Response to the Israel-Hamas Conflict Reflects Its Longstanding Support for Palestine
By Jianli Yang
Israeli diplomats may have assumed that years of providing China with advanced technology would change Beijing’s stance on Israel. This was a serious miscalculation.
China’s Toothless Response to the Israel-Hamas War
By Shannon Tiezzi
China is going out of its way to avoid any criticism of Hamas for the brutal attacks over the weekend, while calling for “restraint.”
Germany’s Far-Right Pivot to China
By Tim Hildebrandt
As the AfD surges in the polls, its China-friendly foreign policy has come under closer scrutiny.
Taiwan Indicts 2 Communist Party Members Accused of Colluding With China to Influence Elections
By Christopher Bodeen
Taiwan’s Communist Party has a miniscule influence on elections and public opinion in general, but tends to stage attention-getting demonstrations during polls or surrounding visits by foreign political figures.
China’s Minister Purges Reflect Xi’s Personnel Dilemma
By Dan Macklin
The removal of two key ministers highlights a deficiency of suitable talent, unsatisfactory performances, and internal divisions.
China, Europe, and the Great Electric Vehicle Race
By Valeria Fappani and Blanca Marabini San Martín
Chinese EVs are gaining market share around the world, but Europe is putting on the brakes.
China Welcomes Taiwanese Athletes at the Asian Games
By David Rising
China has been going out of its way to be welcoming to the Taiwanese athletes, as it pursues a two-pronged strategy, both wooing Taiwan’s people while threatening it militarily.
Can Taiwan’s Opposition Settle on a Unity Candidate?
By Brian Hioe
To have any chance of winning, the pan-Blue camp will need to avoid the current three-way contest for votes. But so far no one looks willing to withdraw.
China Establishes Temporary ‘Border Control Zone’ to Fight Myanmar Scam Operations
By Sebastian Strangio
The announcement comes after a rash of deportations of alleged Chinese scammers from rebel-held regions of eastern Myanmar.
Southeast Asian Migrant Workers in Taiwan: Human Rights and Soft Power
By Yumei Lin
Given its thorny geopolitical status, the way Taiwan treats its large population of migrant workers has far-reaching ramifications.
Long March 9 Rocket Will Be a Game-changer for China’s Space Program
By Namrata Goswami
China’s plan for a super heavy, reusable rocket has gotten far less attention than SpaceX’s Starship, but will be equally important over the long run.