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.
March 22, 2023
China’s Expanding Influence in Iraq
By Sercan Çalışkan
Iraq’s geostrategic location and oil resources make it a crucial point in China’s Belt and Road Initiatives.
March 22, 2023
China, Russia Recommit to Close Partnership in the Shadow of Ukraine War
By Shannon Tiezzi
Anyone seriously considering China playing a role as peacemaker in Ukraine needs to wrestle with its constant and overt declarations of “unswerving” partnership with Russia.
March 21, 2023
Explaining China’s Diplomatic Strategy on Ukraine
By Jianli Yang
China has been sending strong signals that it plans to use its economic clout to bring Ukraine to the bargaining table – to Russia’s benefit.
March 21, 2023
Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou Will Visit China
By Huizhong Wu
Ma’s tenure oversaw a period of warm ties with China, but his controversial trade deal laid the seeds for the anti-China volte face in Taiwanese public opinion.
March 20, 2023
China Commits to Another 5 Years of Xi Jinping’s Information Policies
By Sarah Cook
The annual legislative and consultative sessions indicate that China’s leaders will not waver from their emphasis on control at home and aggressiveness abroad.
March 20, 2023
German Public Opinion in the China Policy Debate
By Tim Hildebrandt
Growing negative sentiment toward China will increase the pressure on Berlin to moderate its approach toward Beijing.
March 18, 2023
China’s Xi to Meet Putin as Beijing Seeks Bolder Global Role
By Karl Ritter
Xi will visit Moscow on March 20-22 as speculation grows China is going to push harder for a diplomatic settlement to the war in Ukraine.
March 18, 2023
The Potential China-Uruguay Trade Deal Risks Fracturing Mercosur
By Igor Patrick
Montevideo is pushing ahead with FTA talks with China – ignoring warnings from neighbors about possible legal and trade action if Uruguay negotiates outside the bloc.
March 17, 2023
Why China Is Looking for a Bigger Role in the Middle East
By Mu Chunshan
China's brokering of the Iran-Saudi Arabia agreement advances several diplomatic priorities for Beijing.
March 16, 2023
Beyond ‘Wolf Warriors’: China’s Multidimensional Diplomacy
By Zhuoran Li
The case of the Sino-Japanese thaw in 2018 shows how China pursues foreign policy flexibility through ties with foreign political parties, individual politicians, and business leaders.
March 16, 2023
Honduras Announces Intention to Drop Taiwan, Recognize China
By Brian Hioe
President Xiomara Castro is making good on a campaign promise to switch diplomatic recognition to China.
March 16, 2023
China Expresses ‘Grave Concern’ Over South Korea-US Military Drills
By Shannon Tiezzi
Beijing is throwing its weight behind Pyongyang’s claim that its missile tests are a necessary defensive response.