By Mei-Ling Chen
Shanghai-based correspondent covering Chinese politics, economy, cross-Strait relations and the Party apparatus.
Assessing the 'Chinamaxxing' Trend: Cultural Fascination or Genuine Soft Power?
A 'Chinamaxxing' trend sees Western social media users adopting perceived Chinese lifestyle habits. However, genuine Chinese cultural export
Iran Conflict Accelerates China's Strategic Pivot to Africa via Hunan Model
China's Africa strategy is evolving from resource extraction to industrial integration, anchored in Hunan Province. The Iran conflict and US
Bangladesh Must Abandon 'Friendship to All' for Strategic Multi-Alignment
Bangladesh's 'friendship to all' policy is no longer viable in a fractured global order. Dhaka must embrace multi-alignment, leveraging its
Manus Case Shows Limits of 'Singapore Washing' for Chinese AI Firms
Chinese AI startup Manus attempted to relocate to Singapore to facilitate a Meta acquisition, but Beijing blocked its founders from leaving
US Sanctions Warning Puts Hong Kong Banks in Crosshairs Over Iran Trade
The US Treasury has warned several banks, including two in China, of potential sanctions for processing Iranian oil payments. Hong Kong's fi
Taiwan's KMT Reaches Out to Beijing Amid Doubts Over US Security Commitments
The chairwoman of Taiwan's main opposition party met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the highest-level KMT visit in a decade. The
China Navigates Iran's Assertive Control Over Strait of Hormuz
Iran is leveraging its tightened grip on the Strait of Hormuz for revenue and strategic deterrence. China, a major buyer of Iranian oil, is
Iran Conflict Exacerbates China's Export Slowdown, Strains Regional Economies
China's export growth decelerated to 2.5% year-on-year in March, a significant drop from previous months. The conflict in Iran is disrupting
China's Dilemma: Trump's Strait of Hormuz Blockade Tests Beijing's Alliance with Iran
President Trump's decision to block shipping through the Strait of Hormuz presents China with a stark choice: accept the ban on trade with I
US Tariff Threat and Hormuz Blockade Prompt Chinese Calls for US-Iran Talks
Beijing has called for Washington and Tehran to resume negotiations following a US naval operation to close the Strait of Hormuz and a threa
Hungary's Political Shift Delivers Blow to Putin and Trump's Populist Alliances
Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar's decisive victory ends Viktor Orban's 16-year rule, marking a major setback for Vladimir Putin's i
Hungary's Election Tests Anti-EU Alliance of Orban, Trump, and Putin
Hungary's election tests the influence of an informal alliance between Prime Minister Viktor Orban, former U.S. President Donald Trump, and