By Mei-Ling Chen
Shanghai-based correspondent covering Chinese politics, economy, cross-Strait relations and the Party apparatus.
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
Xi's Taiwan Gambit: Why Beijing Might Hesitate Despite US Distraction in Iran
China's military has grown rapidly, but a Taiwan invasion remains a high-risk gamble. US forces are stretched by Iran, yet Beijing faces sev
China and Vietnam Share a Digital Propaganda Playbook for Control
China and Vietnam have moved beyond simple censorship to sophisticated digital propaganda. Both states now use coordinated online commentato
Networks, Not Nations, Define Power in the Post-Pax Era
The era of single dominant empires is ending. Power now flows through digital networks, data, and connectivity rather than territory. Israel
China's Dual Role in Iran Conflict: Economic Lifeline and Diplomatic Broker
China has kept Iran's economy afloat by importing millions of barrels of crude oil and processing payments via yuan-based systems. At the sa
How China Quietly Erased Taiwan from Coffee's World Stage
The Specialty Coffee Association changed Taiwan's designation to 'Chinese Taipei' in World Coffee Championships records. The move follows Ch
Trump-Xi Summit May Codify New Rules for US-China Coexistence
The Trump-Xi summit in Beijing is expected to focus on managing irreconcilable differences rather than achieving a grand bargain. Both sides
Chinese Firms Increasingly Turn to International Tribunals Against Governments
Landbridge Group, the Chinese operator of the Port of Darwin, has initiated international arbitration against Australia over forced divestme
China Deploys 2020 Blocking Rules Against US Sanctions on Teapot Refiners
China's Ministry of Commerce has activated the 2020 Blocking Rules to nullify US sanctions on five independent oil refiners, including Hengl
Ursula von der Leyen: Europe's Self-Made Strategic Liability
Ursula von der Leyen's presidency has been marked by grand announcements followed by rapid retreats, from nuclear energy to foreign policy.