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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.

China’s System of Mass Arbitrary Detention

China’s System of Mass Arbitrary Detention

By Angeli Datt
New research analyzing 1,545 prison sentences echoes U.N. concerns that arbitrary detentions “may constitute crimes against humanity.”   

At ‘Two Sessions,’ Beijing Signals Greater Protections for Delivery Riders

At ‘Two Sessions,’ Beijing Signals Greater Protections for Delivery Riders

By Vincent Chow
As China’s gig economy booms, the government is pushing to expand social security coverage for these informal workers. 
Should Beijing Get Credit for Incubating DeepSeek?

Should Beijing Get Credit for Incubating DeepSeek?

By Zhen Zhang and Adam Y. Liu
China’s tech startups have followed a distinct development path – one shaped by local governments. Hangzhou, home to DeepSeek, is a prime example.

Why a Possible Trump-Putin Rapprochement Is Good for China

Why a Possible Trump-Putin Rapprochement Is Good for China

By Justyna Szczudlik
Whatever the U.S. intentions, the outcome of the Russia-U.S. dialogue would be beneficial for China.

China’s Soft Power Play: Can Fashion and Digital Influencers Reshape Its Global Image?

China’s Soft Power Play: Can Fashion and Digital Influencers Reshape Its Global Image?

By Xing Jiahui
China is experimenting with a new formula for soft power by integrating fashion, digital influencers, and lifestyle branding.

What’s Driving Taiwan’s Mass Protests?
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What’s Driving Taiwan’s Mass Protests?

Visa-Free Policies Help Bring Foreign Tourists Back to China 

Visa-Free Policies Help Bring Foreign Tourists Back to China 

By Vincent Chow
Beijing has made a concerted push to attract foreign visitors back to China after the pandemic. Those efforts are paying off.

What Will a Conservative CDU-led Coalition in Germany Mean for China?

What Will a Conservative CDU-led Coalition in Germany Mean for China?

By Muhammad Murad
Friedrich Merz has a reputation for being tough on China, but the need to accommodate a coalition partner and headwinds from Trump's trade wars could rein in those impulses.
What Do Chinese Analysts Think of Trump’s China Policy Thus Far?    

What Do Chinese Analysts Think of Trump’s China Policy Thus Far?    

By Hemant Adlakha
Contrary to Beijing’s expectations, China seemed to have been let off easy in the early days of the Trump 2.0 presidency. Will that last?

As the TPP Gets a New Leader, What’s Next for Taiwan’s Latest Third Party?

As the TPP Gets a New Leader, What’s Next for Taiwan’s Latest Third Party?

By Brian Hioe
Can the Taiwan People’s Party survive the imprisonment of its founder, Ko Wen-je? 

China Is Winning Its Language War in Tibet

China Is Winning Its Language War in Tibet

By Gerald Roche
Tibet is one of the most linguistically diverse places in the world. Many of those languages are at risk of extinction. 

The EU Squeezed Between the US and China

The EU Squeezed Between the US and China

By Plamen Tonchev
Decision-makers in Beijing expect that Trump’s brutal pressure will bring Europe closer to China and, on the face of it, this would make sense. But a full-fledged détente between the EU and China is unlikely. 
Making Sense of China’s Latest Naval Exercises in the Asia-Pacific

Making Sense of China’s Latest Naval Exercises in the Asia-Pacific

By Zi Yang
In less than a week, China initiated a series of naval drills in the South Pacific, Gulf of Tonkin, and off Taiwan’s southwest coast.

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