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Palmer-James-foreign-policy-staff-portraits-202226

James Palmer

Deputy Editor [email protected]

James Palmer is a deputy editor at Foreign Policy and writes FP’s weekly China Brief newsletter. Palmer is the author of The Bloody White Baron: The Extraordinary Story of the Russian Nobleman Who Became the Last Khan of Mongolia and The Death of Mao: The Tangshan Earthquake and the Birth of the New China. He won the Shiva Naipaul prize for travel writing in 2003.

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Articles by James Palmer
A woman walks past images depicting the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong at a stall in an antique market in Beijing on Dec. 26.
A woman walks past images depicting the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong at a stall in an antique market in Beijing on Dec. 26.

5 Predictions for China in 2024

China Brief
James Palmer
Medical staff triage a patient at the entrance of a busy hospital in Shanghai on Jan. 14.
Medical staff triage a patient at the entrance of a busy hospital in Shanghai on Jan. 14.

China’s Year in Review

China Brief
James Palmer
A view from the sky shows a partial blanket of fog settled over a several blocks of residential skyscrapers in Wuhan, China. The buildings are dozens of stories tall and architecturally similar to each other, although some are narrow and some are wider.
A view from the sky shows a partial blanket of fog settled over a several blocks of residential skyscrapers in Wuhan, China. The buildings are dozens of stories tall and architecturally similar to each other, although some are narrow and some are wider.

Chinese Shadow Bank Can’t Pay Up

China Brief
James Palmer
Children and their parents wait at an outpatient area at a children's hospital in Beijing.
Children and their parents wait at an outpatient area at a children's hospital in Beijing.

Cold and Flu Season Stirs Dread in China

China Brief
James Palmer
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends an event on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. A U.S. flag hangs in the background.
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends an event on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. A U.S. flag hangs in the background.

This Isn’t a Honeymoon Phase for the U.S. and China

China Brief
James Palmer
U.S. President Joe Biden, right, gestures toward Chinese President Xi Jinping seen from behind at left. Behind them are U.S. and China flags. A blurry hand gestures to the left in front of them.
U.S. President Joe Biden, right, gestures toward Chinese President Xi Jinping seen from behind at left. Behind them are U.S. and China flags. A blurry hand gestures to the left in front of them.

Can Xi and Biden Repair U.S.-China Ties?

China Brief
James Palmer
U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping stand on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Bali. U.S. and Chinese flags hang behind them.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping stand on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Bali. U.S. and Chinese flags hang behind them.

Xi Gears Up for Long-Awaited U.S. Trip

China Brief
James Palmer
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaches out to shake hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Both men wear dark suits and ties and stand in front of an ornate wooden door and chandelier. American and Chinese flags hang behind them.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaches out to shake hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Both men wear dark suits and ties and stand in front of an ornate wooden door and chandelier. American and Chinese flags hang behind them.

Mixed Messages From Beijing on the U.S.-China Relationship

China Brief
James Palmer
Chinese President Xi Jinping waves and leads the way as Premier Li Keqiang claps and trails behind him in front of an ornate wall at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Chinese President Xi Jinping waves and leads the way as Premier Li Keqiang claps and trails behind him in front of an ornate wall at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Li Keqiang Lived and Died in Xi Jinping’s Shadow

Obituary
James Palmer
Chinese President Xi Jinping walks to the Monument to the People’s Heroes during a wreath-laying ceremony in Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Sept. 30.
Chinese President Xi Jinping walks to the Monument to the People’s Heroes during a wreath-laying ceremony in Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Sept. 30.

Where Does China Stand on the Israel-Hamas War?

China Brief
James Palmer
Alternative for Germany member Maximilian Krah gestures during an interview in Magdeburg, Germany.
Alternative for Germany member Maximilian Krah gestures during an interview in Magdeburg, Germany.

China Finds Friends in Europe’s Far Right

China Brief
James Palmer
The Evergrande logo appears on residential buildings in Nanjing, China.
The Evergrande logo appears on residential buildings in Nanjing, China.

As China’s Property Sector Crumbles, Who Takes the Fall?

China Brief
James Palmer
Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in New Delhi on April 28.
Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in New Delhi on April 28.

China’s Defense Minister Meets His Downfall

China Brief
James Palmer
A general view of the Houses of Parliament in London on Sept. 4.
A general view of the Houses of Parliament in London on Sept. 4.

U.K. Spy Scandal Could Shift China Policy

China Brief
James Palmer
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks on the last day of the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks on the last day of the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Xi Jinping Will Be a G-20 No-Show

China Brief
James Palmer
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