Trucks are seen transporting containers in Qingdao Port, located in China’s eastern Shandong province, on Jan. 13.
Trucks are seen transporting containers in Qingdao Port, located in China’s eastern Shandong province, on Jan. 13.

China Prepares to Endure a Trade War

After a tense week, what happens next?

Wang Wentao, a middle-aged man man in glasses and a dark gray pinstriped suit, speaks into a microphone while sitting at a table with a small Chinese flag next to his namecard. Two other officials or aides are visible seated at a table behind him.
Wang Wentao, a middle-aged man man in glasses and a dark gray pinstriped suit, speaks into a microphone while sitting at a table with a small Chinese flag next to his namecard. Two other officials or aides are visible seated at a table behind him.

China Looks to Neighbors as Trump Tariffs Loom

Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo have agreed to cooperate more closely on free trade.

From left: National Security Agency Director Timothy Haugh, FBI Director Kash Patel, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Jeffrey Kruse appear during a Senate hearing on Signalgate in Washington on March 25.
From left: National Security Agency Director Timothy Haugh, FBI Director Kash Patel, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Jeffrey Kruse appear during a Senate hearing on Signalgate in Washington on March 25.

U.S. Cybersecurity Weakness Benefits China

The Trump administration’s group chat breach underscores that Beijing might have the edge in information warfare.

A general view of mining machinery at a Chinese-run copper and manganese mine in Serenje, Zambia, on Feb. 28.
A general view of mining machinery at a Chinese-run copper and manganese mine in Serenje, Zambia, on Feb. 28.

China Faces PR Challenge in Zambia

An acidic waste spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine has contaminated the country’s most important waterway.

Workers from Chinese electric vehicle company NIO work on an automated production line at the company’s manufacturing hub in Hefei, China, on Jan. 17.
Workers from Chinese electric vehicle company NIO work on an automated production line at the company’s manufacturing hub in Hefei, China, on Jan. 17.

China Leans Into Trade War

Officials in Beijing might be prepared to fight to the end, but is the Chinese public?

china-jin-zhuanglong
china-jin-zhuanglong

Another High-Ranking Chinese Official Falls

Jin Zhuanglong is the latest State Council member to lose out amid President Xi Jinping’s rolling purges.

U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron leave a joint press conference at the White House in Washington on Feb. 24.
U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron leave a joint press conference at the White House in Washington on Feb. 24.

As Trump Abandons Allies, How Will China Respond?

The shock approach causes amusement and concern in Beijing.

A magazine stand is seen against the skyline of the Central Business District in Beijing.
A magazine stand is seen against the skyline of the Central Business District in Beijing.

Xi Sends Message to China’s Private Sector

A meeting with top CEOs signaled the economic importance of entrepreneurs—as long as they can pay court to him.

A man in a black T-shirt, black joggers, and an orange construction hat in the middle of a warehouse aisle between rows of a stainless steel sheets rolled up and packaged in bright blue plastic. The claw of a machine lifts one of the rolls overhead as he lifts his head to watch.
A man in a black T-shirt, black joggers, and an orange construction hat in the middle of a warehouse aisle between rows of a stainless steel sheets rolled up and packaged in bright blue plastic. The claw of a machine lifts one of the rolls overhead as he lifts his head to watch.

What Trump’s Steel Tariffs Mean for China

Beijing stands to lose indirect access to the U.S. market, but it will be hard to dent its heavy industry.

An aerial view shows containers at the port in Nanjing, China.
An aerial view shows containers at the port in Nanjing, China.

China Responds to Trump’s Tariffs With Caution

Beijing has ended up the sole target of new U.S. tariffs—so far.

A woman looks at her phone while standing in front of a screen bearing the logo of Chinese AI firm DeepSeek.
A woman looks at her phone while standing in front of a screen bearing the logo of Chinese AI firm DeepSeek.

DeepSeek Doesn’t Signal an AI Space Race

The Chinese firm’s success might not be a case for massive government investment in the sector.

A hand holds an iPhone that displayed a message from TikTok saying "Welcome back."
A hand holds an iPhone that displayed a message from TikTok saying "Welcome back."

TikTok Debate Could Stir White House Clash

Trump’s dubiously legal extension offer for the app to find a buyer leaves the ball in Beijing’s court.

Supporters of TikTok livestream in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Jan. 10.
Supporters of TikTok livestream in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Jan. 10.

Can Trump Strike a Deal Over TikTok?

The Supreme Court seems poised to uphold a law that will ban the Chinese-owned app unless it is sold.

U.S. President Joe Biden looks at his phone as he leaves the White House on Aug. 16, 2024.
U.S. President Joe Biden looks at his phone as he leaves the White House on Aug. 16, 2024.

Salt Typhoon Stirs Panic in Washington

The full extent of the hack is not yet public, but it has hardened anti-China consensus.

Cars wait to be loaded onto ships for export in Lianyungang, China, on Dec. 12.
Cars wait to be loaded onto ships for export in Lianyungang, China, on Dec. 12.

5 Predictions for China in 2025

From a brewing trade war to opportunities on the global stage, here’s what we’re watching in the new year.

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