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.
Is It Too Late for China’s Israel Policy?
By Vasilis Petropoulos
China gravely miscalculated the effect of its one-sided approach to the ongoing conflict on Israel. Now it may be too late for Beijing to make amends.
Why Bangladesh-China Defense Ties Are Poised to Strengthen After the Monsoon Revolution
By Khandakar Tahmid Rejwan and Scott N. Romaniuk
Beijing is keenly aware of the opportunities arising from the ouster of PM Sheikh Hasina, and will seek to strengthen its existing defense diplomacy with Dhaka.
Mongolia and China Celebrate 75 Years of Partnership
By Bolor Lkhaajav
2024 also marks milestone anniversaries for the foundational treaty between China and Mongolia, as well as their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Boiling 54 Eggs: China’s Approach to Africa
By Peter Krasnopolsky
Viewing China’s relations with individual African states as a single unified policy is misleading both for China and for those watching from afar.
Why Do China Bulls Keep Getting It Wrong?
By Donald Low
Viewing the Chinese government through a prism of exceptionalism makes it hard for China bulls to imagine that the authorities might be unpredictable, capricious, and often wrong.
China Pitches Its Model of Modernization to the Global South
By Shruti Jargad
There is a shift underway in China’s Global South diplomacy, as Beijing seeks to compensate for less financial firepower by focusing more on governance and capacity building.
What to Make of President Lai’s First National Day Address
By Brian Hioe
Old themes of identity – Republic of China vs Taiwan – took on new salience amid a divided government.
The Reality of Afghanistan’s Land Link With China
By Aarish U. Khan
Trade and transit directly to China through the Wakhan Corridor is a long-held dream for Afghan governments, but the logistics remain a major hurdle.
Can China Sustain Its Diplomatic Balance as Middle East Tensions Escalate?
By Aparna Divya
China has long enjoyed cordial relations with Israel, Iran, and the Arab states. That balance is more and more difficult to sustain.
Historical Anti-Japanese Demonstrations in China and the Recent Shenzhen Incident
By KAWASHIMA Shin
Why this time is different.
Debt or Diplomacy? Inside China’s Controversial Loans to Sri Lanka, Laos, and Malaysia
By Zdeněk Rod
Several cases are frequently cited when discussing China’s so-called debt trap diplomacy: Sri Lanka, Laos, and Malaysia. These examples shed light on how China’s strategy plays out in practice.
Nepal Urges China to Share Data Required for Flood Management
By Duncan Bartlett
Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology claims that China has been withholding vital information on glacial lakes under its control in Tibet.