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.
July 21, 2021
Flooding in China’s Henan Province Kills at Least 25
By Associated Press
Historic rainfall in Henan province caused severe flooding, including in Zhengzhou, the provincial capital.
July 21, 2021
The Kris Wu Sex Scandal and China’s Search for Morality in Public Figures
By Jo Kim
In China, celebrities are under greater political and societal pressure to refrain from “immoral conduct.” Is this the Chinese version of cancel culture?
July 21, 2021
Chinese Pop Star Dumped by Brands Over Accusation of Sexual Assault
By Joe McDonald and Fu Ting
A teenager accused Kris Wu of getting her drunk in order to have sex with her. The reaction shows just how far China’s #MeToo movement has come.
July 20, 2021
The Tragedy of Taiwan’s ‘Recall Revenge’
By Lev Nachman and Brian Hioe
The goal of Taiwan’s recall and referendum reforms was to empower civil society against entrenched politicians. The result has been the exact opposite.
July 20, 2021
China Rejects WHO Call for More Transparency on Origins Probe
By Shannon Tiezzi
China’s Foreign Ministry bluntly rejected the WHO’s call for China to be more cooperative with investigations into COVID-19’s origins.
July 19, 2021
What Cultured Meat Can Tell Us About China
By Bonnie Girard
A new survey on a niche product provides a window into changing attitudes, and even has implications for Chinese national security.
July 17, 2021
Where Does China’s Digital Currency Stand?
By Edward Lehman and Jed Rothstein
The eCNY continues to be a trailblazer as a central bank-backed digital currency, even if it’s not quite ready for its full debut.
July 16, 2021
Report: China Plans BioNTech Booster for Its Population
By Shannon Tiezzi
The report from Caixin comes as the efficacy of homegrown vaccines from Sinopharm and Sinovac continue to be questioned.
July 16, 2021
WHO Chief Says It Was ‘Premature’ to Rule out COVID Lab Leak
By Frank Jordans and Maria Cheng
Tedros also made a rare public criticism of China, directly asking Beijing to “to be transparent, open and cooperate” with the WHO investigation.
July 15, 2021
Some Chinese Shun Grueling Careers for ‘Low-Desire Life’
By Joe McDonald and Fu Ting
The “lie flat” trend provides some young Chinese with escape from the grueling pressures of school, work, and family responsibilities.
July 14, 2021
At the Nexus of Military-Civil Fusion and Technological Innovation in China
By Audrey Fritz
The interdependence of China’s innovation strategy with its military-civil fusion system enables it to leverage the global research and networks of the country’s own companies and universities.
July 13, 2021
China’s Afghanistan Gambit
By Barbara Kelemen
The pace of the Taliban’s military advancement on the eve of the U.S. pullout not only stokes worries of regional spillover, but also shines a spotlight on China.