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.
How China Missed Its COVID-19 Opportunity
By Ben Moeller
After initial missteps, Beijing had the chance to be the envy of the world for its pandemic management. What went wrong?
During Latest Exchange, China Presents US With 2 Lists of Grievances
By Shannon Tiezzi
Based on the official read-outs from both sides, it seems Wendy Sherman’s trip to China didn’t go much beyond repeating lengthy lists of concern.
As China Rolled Out Its COVID-19 Shots, Victims of Earlier Vaccine Scandals Vanished
By Renee Xia
China’s habit of disappearing and censoring critics is not the way to win trust in its vaccine industry.
Ghost in the Machine: A Faceless, Famous Chinese Blogger Goes Silent
By Jesse Turland
An anonymous Chinese tech and political blogger called “Program-Think” stopped posting in May, and rumors are swirling as to why.
Introducing China’s Carbon Market
By Eleanor Albert
What to know about Beijing’s latest step to combat climate change.
Teen With US Ties Again on the Run From China With Fiancee
By Associated Press
Wang Jingyu has been on the run from Chinese police since July 2019, after he posted comments in support of mass demonstrations in Hong Kong.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.