By Mei-Ling Chen
Shanghai-based correspondent covering Chinese politics, economy, cross-Strait relations and the Party apparatus.
Why China's ICOR, Not GDP, Reveals Its True Economic Weakness
China's official GDP growth target of 5% masks a rising Incremental Capital Output Ratio (ICOR), indicating declining investment efficiency.
Why Trump's Beijing Visit Will Yield Little for a Weakened US
US President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing comes amid surging inflation, a spiraling Iran conflict, and eroding trust in US economic stewa
Trump and Xi: Managing US-China Rivalry Without War
Neither side can escape the rivalry, nor decisively win it. The key is to compete without turning the world's most consequential bilateral r
South Asia's Delicate Balance Hinges on Trump-Xi Summit Outcome
South Asia's nearly two billion people face a precarious choice as Trump and Xi meet. A US-China escalation threatens energy and trade, whil
Trump-Xi Summit: US Energy Sales to China on Table Amid Hormuz Crisis
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss a resumption of Chinese purchases of American oil and gas
Trump's Beijing Visit: A Strategic Opening for China's Regional Ambitions
President Trump's upcoming summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing comes as China's Monroe Doctrine-style ambitions grow clearer. The US military
Trump-Xi Summit in Beijing: No Repeat of Nixon's 1972 Breakthrough
The Trump-Xi summit in Beijing on May 14-15, 2026, will not replicate the historic breakthrough of Nixon's 1972 visit. Trade deficits, Taiwa
US Visa Threats Risk Turning Migrants Into Pawns in US-China Rivalry
The US has warned it may impose visa sanctions on China over repatriation cooperation. This approach risks turning migrants into bargaining
Trump-Xi Summit: Leverage Economics Replaces Rules-Based Order
The Trump-Xi summit in Beijing showcases a world where everything is leverage: tariffs, Taiwan, energy, and semiconductors are all on the ta
New US Sanctions on Chinese Firms: Leverage for Trump or Overreach Before Xi Summit?
The US Treasury sanctioned 10 entities linked to China and Hong Kong for supplying Iran with drone materials and missile components. The mov
Trump's Beijing Summit: A Weak Hand Meets Xi's Strategic Patience
Donald Trump arrives in Beijing on May 14 needing Xi Jinping's help to end his Iran war, a reversal of the usual US-China power balance. Tra
US, EU, and China Diverge Sharply on Regulating AI Companions
Hundreds of millions globally use AI companions, prompting distinct regulatory responses. China prioritizes emotional safety and social orde